Rain Lashes Sydney As Northern NSW Floods
Image: Weatherzone/X
The flood risk is intensifying across parts of northern NSW while rain continues to lash Sydney.
The Bureau of Meteorology have warned Sydneysiders to expect up to 45mm of rain tomorrow, with forecast maps suggesting the system will spread north and south.
Of the past 32 days, today marks the 28th wet day for the city, after months of wetter-than-normal weather. Another 100mm of rain will make this May the wettest in 22 years.
SES commissioner Michael Wassing said emergency crews had prepared for possible rescue around Sydney.
“We’ve also got some preparation even around Sydney… and there is some active rainfall events there,” he said.
“We have predeployed some capabilities and some management teams up into the northeast as well.”
Rain is likely to clear from Sydney throughout Friday.
Severe flooding across northern NSW
On Thursday afternoon, there were 153 warnings in place across NSW, including 37 Emergency warnings.
The SES has responded to 1,023 incidents in the past 24 hours, including 339 flood rescues, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of more heavy rain to come.
At a press conference on Thursday evening, NSW Police said they’d conducted almost 600 rescues.
“We’re seeing levels of rise in local tributaries, creeks [and] rivers that we haven’t seen since 1920,” said premier Chris Minns.
“Many people would have never seen this level of inundation or flooding in their communities.”
Three bodies have been recovered from floodwaters on the Mid North Coast, with grave fears held for another person who remains missing: 49-year-old man who reportedly walked into floodwaters.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the flooding up north was “a really dangerous situation.”
“The Australian Defence Force remains ready to provide assistance and we’re continuing to work across the three levels of government,” he said on ABC Radio Sydney.
“At a time like this, once again, we see at the worst of times the best of the Australian character.”
