Deluge of rain brings flood warnings, prompts cancellations
A deluge is predicted to lash NSW on the weekend, with the drenching threatening major events and sparking flood warnings.
A deluge is predicted for NSW on the weekend, with the drenching threatening to cancel major events and sparking flood warnings along the coast.
Greater Sydney is predicted to be hit with between 60mm and 100mm on Saturday, leading to flash flooding and dangerous driving conditions, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
“We are expecting totals for Greater Sydney of about 100mm, taking it from maybe inconvenient rain to something that is actually dangerous and threatening,” BOM climatologist Agata Imielska said on Friday.
“On Saturday it’s really important for Sydneysiders to be mindful of reconsidering their plans with potential changes to driving conditions. What we’ll see will be substantially heavier and potentially more dangerous.”
The warning follows a day of torrential rain on Friday on NSW’s mid-north coast, with the town of Utungun, south of Coffs Harbour, receiving 233mm in just seven hours, and Seven Oaks on the Macleay River exceeding 300mm in 24 hours.
The SES issued an evacuation order on Friday for several communities, including Bulahdelah and Kempsey, both on the NSW mid-north coast. It also issued flood watch alerts for at least 23 catchments and several flood warnings, including for the Hastings, Gloucester, Manning, Nambucca and Camden Rivers.
Bureau flood manager Justin Robinson said Sydney was predicted to be hit next, as the rain moved down to the state’s capital, the Blue Mountains and Illawarra.
“As that rainfall moves south, we are particularly concerned about those catchments that border the Sydney area and also the local Sydney metropolitan area where we might see quiet significant flash flooding,” he said.
“And we’ve got a flood watch current for the Nepean and Hawkesbury rivers. We are expecting that to be around the moderate level but some high (flood) levels are possible.”
The SES, which received more than 1700 calls for assistance on Friday, urged Sydneysiders to monitor closely for changes in conditions, with first responders reminding motorists to never drive through flood water and to reconsider the need to travel.
“The weather event has the potential to be life-threatening and flash flooding is of particular concern and it’s something about which communities should be vigilant,” NSW SES assistant commissioner Dean Storey said.
Authorities have also braced for dams and reservoirs to reach capacity, with NSW Water predicting 90mm of rain would cause the Warragamba Dam, which sits at 97.5 per cent capacity, to spill.
“Forecast heavy rain over coming days is set to push all of Sydney’s dams close to capacity, with many potentially spilling over the weekend,” a spokesman said.
The deluge has thrown several major events into doubt, including the world’s richest race for two-year-olds, the Golden Slipper, at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Australian Turf Club said on Friday night the race was still going ahead, but there would be a track inspection at 6am on Saturday before a final decision.
“Racing NSW and the Australian Turf club will continue to monitor the weather and forecasts throughout the day to ensure racing can safely proceed, with the welfare of horses and jockeys paramount,” a spokesman said.
“The Longines Golden Slipper is Australia’s biggest day of group one racing and while we will do everything possible to ensure it goes ahead safely, the jockeys and horses will be our first concern.”
The NRL confirmed its Saturday clashes between the Bulldogs and Panthers and the Cowboys and Dragons would go ahead despite the weather warning, after matches on Thursday and Friday were played in pools of mud.
However, the NSW Rugby League confirmed on Friday night that the major competitions for the Ron Massey Cup, Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership and Sydney Shield had been called off due to wet weather and venue closures.
Coastal warnings have also been issued, with NSW Marine Rescue asking all sailors and boaters to avoid the water.
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