Issued: Saturday, 02 July 2022
Flood warnings have been issued for parts of New South Wales as consecutive days of heavy rainfall are likely to continue along the central NSW coast over the next few days with six-hourly rainfall totals to 150 mm possible and a heightened risk of riverine and flash flooding as well as land slips.
River levels are expected to rise from today, with the largest riverine flood impacts starting Sunday and continuing through Monday or Tuesday next week.
A Flood Warning has been issued for minor to major flooding along the Hawkesbury, Nepean and Colo rivers over the coming days. Major flooding is possible at Menangle and North Richmond from Sunday.
A Severe Weather Warning is current for heavy rainfall south of Sydney's northern suburbs, to Ulladulla and inland to the Blue Mountains and ranges. This area includes the Sydney CBD, Western Sydney, Wollongong, Kiama and Nowra.
The heavy rain currently over the Illawarra and far northern parts of the South Coast is expected to extend into the broader Sydney area, including the Blue Mountains, today.
The heavy rainfall is being driven by the deepening of a coastal trough off the NSW coast. An East Coast Low is forecast to develop in the trough on Monday, leading to further intensification of rain, wind and hazardous seas on Sunday and Monday and an expansion of the focus north towards Newcastle.
Hazardous and damaging surf warnings are current for the Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra coasts from Sunday and likely to persist for several days. Hazardous and damaging coastal conditions are also possible, depending on the development of an East Coast Low.
The Bureau will be monitoring the rainfall overnight and will regularly update flood warnings and advice. Communities in the affected areas are advised to stay up to date with the latest advice via the Bureau's website (http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings/) and BOM Weather App and follow the advice of emergency services.
For people travelling to or around affected areas these school holidays, the Bureau recommends enabling push notifications on your BOM Weather app for the latest advice and warnings for your holiday destination.
