As it happened: PM and NSW premier set to visit flood regions, 85,000 people under evacuation orders and warnings

That’s where we’ll leave tonight’s live blog.

Here are the main flooding developments that occurred today.

• More than 85,000 people from across NSW are under more than 100 evacuation orders, up from 50,000 yesterday.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a $1000 disaster recovery payment for flood victims from tomorrow, on top of initial disaster assistance flagged earlier this week. Every child impacted within the areas will also be eligible for a $400 payment from tomorrow.
• After stepping off a plane from Ukraine, Albanese visited the Hawkesbury-Napean areas with NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.
• Sydney Water issued an urgent alert to residents in Sydney’s west to conserve water as dam filtration systems struggle to keep up with demand in light of flooding across the state.
• The bulk-carrier Portland Bay that was stranded with 21 crew members for two days was safely tugged to Port Botany this afternoon.

For the latest flood and weather warnings, consult the Bureau of Meteorology and SES websites.

That’s all from me. Stay safe this evening.

The world’s largest SAR satellite constellation organisation has captured satellite images of the Hunter before and after it flooded.

ICEYE, a Finnish microsatellite manufacturer, combines the data from its space borne sensors with multiple auxiliary information sources on the ground to produce a precise representation of a flood’s extent and depth anywhere in the world.

Here, you can see the Hunter River before the flood on July 3 compared with today.

The Hunter River flood as shown by ICEYE satellite imagery. Credit: ICEYE

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a minor flood warning for the Manning River that will impact Wingham and Taree.

From Wednesday, Wingham is expected to begin to flood and may extend downstream to Taree by Thursday morning.

The Manning River at Wingham is likely to exceed the minor flood level, 4.9 metres, from Wednesday evening.

The river level may reach around 5.10 metres early Thursday morning. Further rises are possible with forecast rainfall.

The Manning River at Taree may reach the minor flood level, 1.8 m, by Thursday morning.

You can check the latest flood warnings on the SES website.

The Hunter River is expected to reach 13.8 metres at Singleton this evening, just one metre from overflowing.

Singleton’s storm water drains are already full, prompting the SES to issue an evacuation order earlier today. Hundreds have fled the town, with many others cut off.

An isolated property in the Hunter Valley on Thursday. Credit: Nine

In March, the Hunter River reached 13.15 metres and although the heaviest rainfall has cleared the Hunter catchment, further river level rises may prolong flooding.

Nearby, major flooding is occurring along the Wollombi Brook. The brook peaked at 14.2 metres in the early hours of Wednesday near Wollombi and is falling slowly. As it stands, it’s at 12.48.

In Bulga, the Brook is at 9.1 metres, close to its peak.

In Maitland, the river peaked at Belmore Bridge at 7.09 metres on Monday, but could reach 10 metres on Thursday if further rainfall arrives as predicted.

Let’s take a look at the latest roads closed due to flooding.

The New England Highway remains closed at Singleton and Maitland. The highway is also closed to light vehicles between White Avenue and Pitt Street while heavy vehicles are being stopped at Whittingham and Muswellbrook.

The highway is also closed at Maitland’s High Street roundabout. Light vehicles are being diverted through the town while heavy vehicles can use the Hunter Expressway.

Sydney closures:

• Heathcote to Lucas Heights - all westbound lanes of Heathcote Road are closed between the Princes Highway and New Illawarra Road. Eastbound lanes of Heathcote Road are open.
• Windsor - Windsor Bridge is closed between Wilberforce Road and George Street. Sections of Wilberforce and Pitt Town roads are also closed.
• North Richmond - Richmond Bridge is closed in both directions.
• Yarramundi - Yarramundi Bridge is closed in both directions.
• In the Royal National Park - Audley Weir is closed in both directions.
• T1 Western Line - limited buses are replacing trains between Schofields and Richmond.
• Blue Mountains Line - limited buses are replacing trains between Katoomba and Mount Victoria.
• F3 Parramatta River services – alternative transport is running between Parramatta and Rydalmere.
• Many bus services are affected by flooding and may divert at short notice or terminate early.

In the Hunter:

• Maitland to Cliftleigh – Main Road/Cessnock Road is closed between the New England Highway and Avery Lane.
• Whittingham – the Golden Highway is closed between New England Highway and Range Road.
• Tomago - Tomago Road is closed between Graham Drive and Masonite Road.
• Bulga to Colo Heights - Putty Road is closed between Wambo Road and Colo Heights Road.
• Central Coast & Newcastle Line - no trains are running between Cardiff and Wyong.
• Hunter Line - no trains are running between Newcastle Interchange, Scone and Dungog.

On the Central Coast

• Charmhaven - the Pacific Highway is closed at Wallarah Creek Bridge.

In the Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands:

• Jamberoo - Jamberoo Mountain Road is closed in both directions near The Abbey.

There are now nine evacuation centres assisting people who have been advised to leave their homes across the state.

They are as follows:

• Castle Hill
• Cessnock
• East Maitland
• Narellan
• North Richmond
• Penrith
• Richmond
• Singleton
• The Entrance
• Castle Hill Showground (for large animals only)

An initial flood warning has been issued for the Myall River, with minor flooding possible at Bulahdelah this evening.

Heavy rainfall has led the Bureau of Meteorology to predict the river might reach the minor flood level of three metres.

A severe weather warning for heavy rainfall is current for the Mid North Coast and parts of the Northern Tablelands Forecast District.

The current warnings are available at the BOM and SES websites.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s chief commissioner Angus Mitchell has announced an investigation into the Portland Bay’s loss of power on Monday.

The bulk carrier was stranded for two days and required a multi-agency rescue effort before eventually docking in Port Botany this afternoon.

The damaged cargo ship Portland Bay was towed to Port Botany on Wednesday.Credit: Peter Rae

The bureau will investigate the source of the power loss, the weather forecast, and the initial response of the 21 crew members on board at the time.

“Should a critical safety issue be identified at any time during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify operators and regulators so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken,” Mitchell said.

A final report will be published after the investigation.

Hundreds of shoppers at Zetland’s East Village have been evacuated after a power outage plunged the shopping complex into darkness.

At least three people are stuck in one of the complex’s lifts as a result of the outage. Members of NSW Fire and Rescue are on the scene.

At least three people are trapped in a lift at East Village shopping centre after a power outage. Credit: Sarah Keoghan

According to Ausgrid, multiple outages are affecting parts of Zetland, Alexandria, Beaconsfield, Kensington, Waterloo and Mascot and may not be fixed until 6pm.

The cause for the outage is not yet known.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood warning for Tuggerah Lake.

Long Jetty is steadying near a major flood peak of 1.64 metres.

You can find the latest flood warnings by conferring with the SES website.