Following intense downpours, several Sydney communities have been flooded, while southeast Queensland is preparing for heavy rain.
Expectations for further river rises and moderate to major flooding along the Hawkesbury River, northwest of Sydney, continue into Sunday morning after receiving 200mm of rainfall across much of the catchment area.
The river is projected to peak above the major flooding level at North Richmond on Sunday morning, although it will be two meters below the peaks reached during major floods in 2021 and 2022.
Over 107 warnings were issued late on Saturday night, with 32 emergency alerts still in effect on Sunday morning.
The heavy rain on Friday and Saturday led to landslips, flash flooding, and a house in Wollongong being swept into a creek. Witnesses reported seeing two people emerging from the damaged home in Mount Keira.
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Investigations will continue on Sunday into the death of a man found in water in Penrith. The man was discovered by a passer-by around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, and the cause of death remains unknown.
Chief Superintendent Dallas Burnes of the New South Wales (NSW) State Emergency Services mentioned that while the flood threat is decreasing, 352 homes are impacted by evacuation orders.
Mr. Burnes stated, “We have witnessed the highest peak, and now we are monitoring the water downstream to warn communities in its path.”
Cloudy conditions and scattered showers are expected for the hardest-hit areas on Sunday, including Sydney and Wollongong.
The weather system’s final impact is predicted to hit the northeast of the state, with thunderstorms, possibly severe, expected on Sunday.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall is forecasted to drench parts of Queensland on Sunday, with up to 200mm expected in the southeast.
A major flood warning is in effect for the Warrego River in the state’s southwest, with additional flood warnings for Eyre Creek, Weir River, Balonne River, Moonie River, and Norman River.
Both the Nindooinbah and Moogerah dams, over 100km west of the Gold Coast, have begun releasing excess water.
