Clean up efforts are underway after intense rainfall and flash flooding along the NSW east coast forced hundreds to evacuate.
Communities in Sydney’s north and west remain isolated after a “dangerous and life-threatening” weather event dropped more than 250mm on Friday night.
Meanwhile, State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers have been conducting damage assessments and washouts in the Illawarra region, south of Sydney, on Sunday.
More than 70 properties were assessed with volunteers deeming 57 properties damaged, 28 inundated by flood water and 14 assessed as not habitable.
A major flood peak was reached at North Richmond, in the city’s north on Saturday night, and a moderate flood peak at Windsor on Sunday.
As of 3pm, at least 300 homes and 800 people in Sydney were currently under emergency evacuation warnings.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey said it was likely these warnings will remain in place for a couple of days until river levels drop below the minor flood warning level.
“It is our priority to get people back to their homes as soon as it is safe to do so,” he said.
“Once the flood water recedes our crews will be out in force on the ground assisting with damage assessments.
“In the meantime, we’re available to assist any isolated resident with resupply of essential items and our volunteers will be conducting welfare checks.”
Assistant Commissioner Storey praised the efforts of the 5000 SES volunteers who performed at least 200 flood rescues across the state.
Emergency Warnings in place in NSW:
- 5 x warnings relate to parts of Sackville
- 2 x warnings relate to parts of Ebenezer
- 2 x warnings relate to parts of Lower Portland
- 2 x warnings relate to Pitt Town Bottoms and Northern Pitt Town
- 2x warnings relate to Agnes Banks
- Parts of Cumberland Reach
- Gronos Point
- Parts of Leets Vale
- Part of Cattai – Riverside Caravan Park
- Cornwallis and eastern part of Richmond Lowlands
If people require NSW SES assistance, please call 132 500.