Australia: Flooding and evacuations ongoing in central NSW coastal areas, Australia, as of July 7 /update 3

Event

Flooding and evacuations are ongoing in central NSW coastal areas, Australia, as of July 7 following heavy rainfall since July 1. Recovery efforts are underway. The New South Wales state government declared a natural disaster across 23 local government areas late July 4 and across six additional local government areas July 7. As of July 7, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has rescinded all severe weather warnings and is maintaining the following flood watches and warnings:

• Major Flood Warning: Tuggerah Lake.

• Moderate to Major Flood Warning: Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter River.

• Minor to Major Flood Warning: Darling River.

• Minor to Moderate Flood Warning: Bokhara, Colo, Culgoa, Hawkesbury, Macquarie, Manning, and Nepean rivers

• Moderate Flood Warning: Bogan River.

• Minor Flood Warning: Camden Haven, Hastings, Lachlan, Myall, Orara, Paterson, and Williams rivers and Wallis Lake.

Officials could update and possibly extend the coverage of weather alerts over the coming days. Intermittent showers are forecast through at least July 13.

Authorities have issued return-with-caution advice notices to around 35,000 people in areas where the flood threat has eased, mostly in Sydney’s southwest. Evacuation orders for around 43,000 people and warnings covering around 17,000 people remain in place for parts of the Hunter, Illawarra South Coast, Mid North Coast, and Sydney regions, mostly along the Georges, Hawkesbury, Nepean, and Woronora rivers affecting around 85,000 people. Evacuation shelters are located at Richmond, North Richmond, Castle Hill, The Entrance, Cessnock, East Maitland, and Tuncurry. Click here for further details on evacuation orders and warnings and here for more information regarding evacuation shelters. Reports indicate that at least 400 people are living in evacuation shelters and 150 others are in emergency accommodation. Officials have confirmed one fatality on the Parramatta River in western Sydney due to the severe weather conditions. The Warragamba Dam in western Sydney started overflowing early July 3, exacerbating the flooding.

Endeavour Energy cut power to more than 10,800 homes and businesses in the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains, and Southern Highlands regions late July 4; officials have begun assessing damage and restoring power where water levels allow access. Strong winds resulted in power outages to more than 5,000 people in the Upper Bluer Mountains between Leura and Blackheath, as well as the Shoalhaven region between Jamberoo and the Upper Kangaroo Valley.

Train services on the T1 Western Line between Schofields to Richmond, on the T3 Bankstown Line between Lidcombe and Sydenham, on the Blue Mountains Line between Katoomba and Mount Victoria, and on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line between Cardiff and Wyong are suspended due to flooding and landslides. Other train lines are running reduced services due to severe weather.

F3 Parramatta River ferries are suspended due to the weir flooding, while the Brooklyn Ferry services are canceled due to debris and obstructions at Dangar Wharf. Palm Beach ferries are diverting to Patonga due to heavy swell, and the 06:00 and 18:00 services are canceled due to heavy swell and debris in the river.

Hazardous Conditions
Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed or a lack of stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall.

Transport
Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters.

Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are likely in areas that see heavy rainfall and potential track inundation. Severe weather could also trigger flight delays and cancellations at airports in the region. Authorities may temporarily suspend port operations if strong winds and large waves trigger hazardous sea conditions.

Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and employees' inability to reach work sites. Electricity and telecommunications service disruptions are possible where significant flooding, strong winds, or landslides impact utility networks.

Advice

Monitor local media for weather updates and related advisories. Confirm all transport reservations and business appointments before travel. Allow extra time for travel in the affected area and plan alternative routes if necessary. Do not drive on flooded roads.

Resources

Australian Bureau of Meteorology