Residents in New South Wales, Australia, are seeking assistance as heavy rains and potential flooding impact the region. Despite the risk of more rain, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has issued multiple warnings and cautions.
Sydney, which has experienced intense rainfall, had its wettest August in some time according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
The SES has responded to over 430 incidents in the past 24 hours across various regions, including the south of Sydney, Central Coast, north coast, New England region, and the state’s northwest.
SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz described the weather system as “very widespread.” She also highlighted the risk of flash flooding due to high river levels, saturated soils, and full dams from prior rainfall. The SES encourages the public to stay alert.
According to Helen Reid of the Bureau of Meteorology, the mid-north coast could receive up to 150mm of isolated rainfall. She also noted that many rivers in the area are rising.
Sydneysiders experienced significant rainfall, with 82mm recorded in Observatory Hill, and varying totals across the city’s different regions.
Related article link: “The floods and droughts in Australia are fingerprints of a warming planet | Kimberley Reid”.
Rainfall is expected to peak on Thursday, with a gradual easing into the evening and Friday morning. Helen Reid, from the BoM, stated that August is shaping up to be the wettest month in some time due to a coastal trough and an unstable cooler section of the upper atmosphere.
Additional flood warnings have been issued for the Namoi River and other regions throughout NSW, with a “watch and act” warning in place for Goangra due to a risk of significant flooding.
The search is on for two men missing after their car went into the Macdonald River. NSW Police have divers searching near Wisdom Ferry on Sydney’s outskirts.
Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone has advised residents to prepare their homes for flooding by clearing gutters, trimming trees, and securing loose items.
