Severe weather warning for Sydney as rain deluge forecast
Sydney residents are being put on high alert for the possibility of more landslides after a severe weather warning was issued across southern and central parts of the state on Wednesday morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned the risk of flash flooding is imminent, as it forecasts six-hourly rainfall totals of up to 140mm over coastal areas on Thursday.
Weather bureau meteorologist Ailsa Schofield said there was the potential for even higher isolated totals across the coast.
“So for Wednesday we might see higher rainfall totals in excess of 100 millimetres, on Thursday we may see rainfall totals in excess of 200 to 250 millimetres, and then again on Friday we may see higher rainfall totals in excess of 150 millimetres,” she said.
Ms Schofield said despite sunny conditions in recent days, rivers had not had enough time to completely dry out, making more landslips possible.
A father and nine-year-old boy were killed and a mother and 14-year-old boy remain in a critical condition following a fatal landslip in the Blue Mountains on Monday.
Huge swells caused carnage on some Sydney beaches last week.Credit:James Alcock
“The catchments are very wet. It won’t take much rainfall to see flash flooding,” she said.
“We therefore expect potentially dangerous road conditions and the potential for further landslips.”
Locations expected to be hardest hit by the weather event include Bega, Batemans Bay, Nowra, Goulburn, Wollongong, Sydney, Katoomba and Gosford.
There is also a minor to moderate flood warning in place for central NSW and southern coastal rivers, including greater Sydney for Wednesday and Thursday.
The rainfall comes as the result of a strong upper trough which is expected to sit over central NSW on Wednesday.
This trough is expected to deepen and remain slow-moving over the coming days before weakening on Friday morning.
In a statement, the NSW SES warned residents to “stay vigilant and monitor conditions”.
“Keep clear of creeks and storm drains,” the warning said.
“Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire-affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.”
Meanwhile, the Queen issued a message of condolence to the Governor-General as a result of the recent floods.
She said she was “saddened” to hear about the loss of lives and the scale of the devastation.
“In the immediate response, Australians’ resolute spirit and community-mindedness has once again shone through,” she said.
“My thanks go out to the emergency services and many volunteers who have tirelessly assisted those in need. My thoughts continue to be with those who have been impacted as the focus now turns to the long recovery phase ahead.”
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