NSW floods: Clean-up on as major flooding hits Sydney’s outskirts

People look on at the submerged Richmond Bridge at North Richmond, Sydney on April 6. Photo / Getty Images

A man has died and more than 160 people have required rescuing as a deluge across eastern NSW caused landslips, flash flooding and rapid river rises.

Communities on Sydney’s fringes will be nervously watching river levels as residents across eastern NSW mop up from damaging storms.

Residents across Sydney and southern NSW will continue mopping up the damage from record-breaking downpours as major flooding affects some communities.

Further river rises and moderate to major flooding was expected along the Hawkesbury River northwest of Sydney into Sunday morning after the week ended with 200mm across much of the catchment.

The river was expected to peak above the major flooding level at North Richmond on Sunday morning, albeit two metres below the peaks reached in major floods in 2021 and 2022.

⚡ Thunderstorm Forecast for tomorrow (Sunday): Storms possible for parts of the southeast and northeast of NSW, with a chance of Severe Storms in the far northeast bringing Damaging Winds and Heavy Rainfall with potential flash flooding. Current warnings: https://t.co/jJWt2wlxel pic.twitter.com/MXb2lCts0S

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) April 6, 2024

Evacuation centres have been established either side of the river for displaced residents.

Moderate flooding was occurring at Windsor overnight while Penrith on Sydney’s western fringe had minor flooding.

Meanwhile, coastal erosion was expected along the south coast as strong to gale-force winds drove large waves on to the coast overnight.

More than 100mm fell in Nimmitabel in the Bega Valley on Saturday as the weather system began to move south into the Tasman Sea.

More than 107 warnings were in place late on Saturday night. The rain on Friday and Saturday earlier caused landslips, flash flooding and a house in Wollongong to be swept into a creek.

Heavy rain has lashed parts of Australia's southeast, triggering flood warnings. Evacuation orders were issued for some areas, after more than a month's rain fell in Sydney

More ➡️ https://t.co/cWYrCx7CnM pic.twitter.com/fLshhQKzTr

— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 6, 2024

Witnesses reported seeing two people emerge from the mangled home in Mount Keira.

Investigations on Sunday will also continue into the death of a man found in water in Penrith.

The man, whose death was not attributed to a cause, was located by a passer-by about 7.30am on Saturday.

SES crews rescued scores of people from their vehicles with almost half of the 168 flood rescues statewide in metro areas.

Lakes and lagoons overflowed into roads and residences while numerous national parks were closed including urban oasis Lane Cove National Park.

Trains across the Sydney and NSW rail networks faced significant delays and gaps in service into Saturday night due to flooding affecting infrastructure in various locations.

Woke up at 5.30am to find my inner west street a river. Neighbours have had garages destroyed. #Sydneyfloods pic.twitter.com/KjuSyVESKN

— BuckleUp (@buckleup) April 5, 2024

Commuters were advised to avoid travel or allow plenty of extra time.

An overflowing Parramatta Weir was also continuing to stop river ferry services from going further upstream of Rydalmere.

Almost a dozen evacuation alerts were in place overnight but conditions elsewhere were expected to ease.

Partly cloudy conditions were forecast for the hardest-hit areas including Sydney and Wollongong.

Scattered showers were expected about the southern and central slopes and ranges, and the NSW southeast.

- AAP