NSW floods: Western Sydney residents allowed to return home as flood levels drop, commuter chaos as train delays continue
Some western Sydney residents have been permitted to head home after their communities were left awash by catastrophic flash flooding, while the reason for the train delays has been revealed
NSW
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Some residents evacuated from flood-stricken Sydney suburbs have been allowed to go home today as waters continue to drop.
Locals from McGraths Hill and Mulgrave have been told by the State Emergency Service that they can return home after being evacuated on Tuesday.
The SES asked residents to return “with caution”.
“Flood levels have dropped but you should take care when returning to the area as flood damage can be widespread and utilities may not be in service,” the SES wrote.
It comes as premier Dominic Perrottet has said that getting flood-affected people into housing, providing financial support and accelerating the mammoth clean up would be the government’s priority in the Northern Rivers region.
More than 1200 people are in temporary emergency accommodation and 9200 assessments have been carried out on homes — of which 5500 were damaged and 2834 are not inhabitable.
The government has announced a new $551 million housing support package for 25,000 impacted households.
“The package today includes 16 weeks rental support for those people who need it. We know we have many people who are still in evacuation centres,” he said.
“That will provide payments for single person households of $6000 and for larger families over $18000 in financial support.”
The government will also provide interim pod dwellings with mobile motorhomes to be rolled out from March 13.
Mr Perrottet said recreational camps had been purchased with capacity for another 270 people.
“This is multi-layered, given the extensive issues we are facing… Where gaps do arise, we will address them,” he said.
“We want people out of evacuation centres.”
The government has allocated $90 million to assist with the major clean-up across the Northern Rivers.
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the funding was only the “first tranche” of a range of support the government was considering.
“The Lismore City Council’s transfer facility saw a thousand tonnes of material go in there… we want the clean up work happening as quickly as possible, and we are throwing all resources into ensuring that happens.”
Mr Toole said the government’s new recovery centres were “a one-stop-shop” for flood victims.
“We will stand side by side with you over the coming months, and over the coming years,” he said.
Treasurer Matt Kean said “there will be no expense spared” to ensure everyone who needs will have a roof over their head.
Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said his agency was cutting bureaucratic red tape to ensure people can access help quickly and easily.
“So far over 800 businesses have applied to those (business) support packages… You can apply online, and the money will be flying out the door in five business days,” he said.
It comes as parts of southwest Sydney have seen floodwaters recede overnight according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with Camden, Wallacia and Menangle seeing levels drop to “below minor” flooding.
The Hawkesbury River in northwest Sydney is also dropping after peaking at Windsor at 7am on Wednesday, with suburbs including Penrith, North Richmond, Windsor, Sackville, Lower Portland and Wisemans Ferry seeing water levels dip, though major flooding is still underway.
âš ï¸ Minor to Major #Flood Warning updated for the #ColoRiver and #HawkesburyRiver. Major flooding continues at #NorthRichmond, #Windsor, #Sackville, #LowerPortland and #WisemansFerry. See https://t.co/AdztI2rqg1 for details and updates; follow advice from @NSWSES. #NSWFloodspic.twitter.com/3rfnYZgLPz
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) March 9, 2022
An SES spokesman said on Thursday that officials were “expecting” to give residents the all clear in some areas later today.
“It is expected given the cancellation of the severe weather warning, but we would encourage residents to keep an eye on alerts so they are informed,” the spokesman said.
It comes as the SES received another 972 calls for help overnight, bringing the total number of calls since the bad weather began to 22,000.
Fifteen flood rescues of people in cars and stuck animals were also carried out last night.
The Hawkesbury-Nepean River system has peaked following days of torrential rain, but not all residents are out of the woods yet as major flooding continues in some areas.
And the city‘s transport network remains crippled by another day of delays and cancellations thanks to the heavy weather.
The Bureau of Meteorology shared on Thursday morning that the river had peaked at Windsor with major flooding, recording a maximum of 13.8m at 7am on Wednesday, the highest water level there since 1978.
But while the river height is now falling in all but two locations, the BOM warned “major flooding” would continue in the days to come.
âš ï¸ #Flood Warning issued for #HawkesburyNepeanValley. #Major flooding continues at #NorthRichmond#Windsor and downstream. #Menangle#Camden#Wallacia have fallen below minor flood levels. See https://t.co/AdztI2rqg1 for details and updates; follow advice from @NSWSES. #NSWFloodspic.twitter.com/wJilnvVXB7
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) March 9, 2022
“The main flood peak in the Hawkesbury is now downstream of Wisemans Ferry. River levels at North Richmond and Windsor are expected to remain above major levels for the remainder of the week,” the BOM wrote.
“Major flooding above the March 2021 event is occurring along the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond, Windsor, Sackville, Lower Portland and Wisemans Ferry.”
Despite the major flooding still underway, floodwaters have been downgraded in multiple locations.
Former moderate flooding along the Nepean River in Penrith is expected to become minor on Thursday and floodwaters in Camden, Wallacia and Menangle have eased to “below minor” levels.
Despite the river already peaking at North Richmond and Windsor, the BOM projected major flooding would continue into the weekend.
“The river may remain about the major flood level … until Saturday,” the BOM wrote.
Sackville, Lower Portland and Wisemans Ferry have also endured the river peak, and are expected to still experience major flooding “during Thursday”.
âœ”ï¸ SAFE TO RETURN to low-lying properties at Tuggerah Lakes✔ï¸Flooding has eased on the Wyong River and Tuggerah Lake. Flood levels have dropped but take care when returning to the area as flood damage can be widespread. More info: https://t.co/BCnxAdPqqR
— NSW SES (@NSWSES) March 9, 2022
It comes as locals in Tuggerah Lakes were allowed back to their homes after the Wyong River dropped, but thousands of residents across NSW are still awaiting the all clear to return to their properties following the devastating rain event.
A minor to major flood warning is still active for the Hunter River and Wollombi Brook, while most other affected rivers now have a minor or final flood warning active.
LANDSLIPS CAUSING TRAIN DELAYS, CANCELLATIONS
Landslips across almost a dozen railway lines are behind the prolonged public transport chaos, according to the Transport Minister.
David Elliott told 2GB said commuters “should” start seeing a return to normal services shortly, but said the damage from the recent severe weather had taken its toll, especially in Sydney’s northwest.
“We should start seeing those improvements, a return to nearly normal scheduling,” Mr Elliott said.
“There were 11 landslips covering railway lines over the course of the last couple of days... up at Clarendon near Richmond there is a lot of water affecting services.”
Mr Elliott praised rail workers for “brilliant work” trying to fix the tracks as soon as possible.
It comes as commuters have been warned to expect yet another day of delays and cancellations on the train and bus network on Thursday.
A statement from Transport for NSW asked travellers on Thursday to avoid their commute if possible.
“Please do not travel unless it is absolutely necessary … while delays and cancellations cannot be avoided at this time, every effort is being made to provide you with safe alternatives,” TfNSW wrote online.
“Crews are working around the clock to assess damage and clear debris quickly. Every effort is being made to maintain services and provide customers with safe alternatives.”
The east coast low which battered NSW’s east has since moved off into the sea, with mild conditions and minimal rain expected in the coming days.
BUNNINGS SAUSAGE SIZZLE TO HELP FLOOD VICTIMS
The Bunnings sausage sizzle usually only comes out on weekends but the barbeque is getting fired up this Friday in the name of flood relief.
Every Bunnings Warehouse in Australia is holding a national sausage sizzle on March 11, partnering with charity GIVIT to raise funds for flood victims in NSW and QLD.
Bunnings Managing Director, Mike Schneider said the company’s team across Australia were keen to support affected communities.
“Our team members always embrace the opportunity to get behind the BBQ to help out,” Mr Schneider said.
““We know there is a long road ahead, and Bunnings team members will continue to work alongside impacted communities in the coming weeks and months to offer support and assistance with the recovery and rebuilding process.”
The sizzles will run from 9am to 4pm tomorrow.
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Originally published as NSW floods: Western Sydney residents allowed to return home as flood levels drop, commuter chaos as train delays continue
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