NSW SES continue to respond to flooding along the NSW coast and northern inland of the state. Since the commencement of the current event, over 16,450 calls for emergency assistance have been received, of which 1023 have been received in the past 24 hours to noon Sunday. The majority of these have been received on the North Coast and Metropolitan Sydney areas, with leaking roofs, requests for sandbagging, resupply of isolated properties and flood rescues amongst the tasks received.
There have been 1761 flood rescues, of which 26 have been undertaken in the past 24 hours to noon today. Of these 8 were in the Sydney Metropolitan area.
NSW SES are receiving support from a range of supporting agencies. These include the Rural Fire Service, who are sending 120 Community Liaison Officers to Northern NSW on Sunday. Support is also being received from Fire and Rescue NSW, Marine rescue NSW, NSW Police and the Volunteer Rescue Association. There are 120 volunteers and staff from interstate partner agencies from Tasmania, ACT, Victoria and South Australia.
Flood Warnings are current for numerous NSW rivers as well as a Flood Watch and Severe Weather Warning. The latest information on river forecasts and heights and forecast severe weather is available from the Bureau of Meteorology website: http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/
As another East Coast Low is now tracking along the coast, strong winds may bring down trees and branches, with motorists asked to take care with rain and the possibility of fallen trees leading to hazardous driving conditions.
Marine Rescue NSW are asking boaters in affected areas to stay off the water due to the high amounts of debris caused by flooding.
NORTH COAST
River levels on the north Coast continue to fall. Most have now fallen to minor, although moderate to major flooding is still affecting the lower Richmond River. River levels at Woodburn are expected to fall below major this afternoon.
Forecast rain today and overnight may result in increased river levels on the Clarence and Wilsons Rivers to minor. Further rises are not expected.
NSW SES continues to work on the North Coast with partner agencies and local councils to assist communities affected by the severe flooding. Tasks being undertaken include transport of fuel, and the resupply of isolated properties with food, fuel, medicine and other essential items, as well as transport of local residents and emergency services personnel. Volunteers have also been undertaking a small number of additional flood rescues. NSW SES have been undertaking a significant number of community meetings, working through local networks, to provide communities affected by flooding with recovery information. .
MID NORTH COAST / HUNTER / CENTRAL COAST
An East Coast Low (ECL) is expected to form off the Mid North Coast overnight Sunday, This is expected to result in the re-intensification of rainfall with a Flood Watch for renewed river rises. Flooding may reach Moderate on the Manning, Williams, Patterson and Hunter Rivers and minor on several others. A Major Flooding warning is current for Wollombi Brook. Minor to Moderate flooding is possible on Tuggerah Lakes.
Flood Watch: http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/flood/floodwatch1.shtml
People living and working along rivers and streams in the affected area should act now to prepare for flooding. Farmers should lift pumps and relocate livestock and equipment to higher ground. If isolation is likely stock up on food, fuel, medicine and other essential items. Consider what actions you need to undertake to stay safe should flooding develop.
GREATER SYDNEY
Rain overnight has resulted in renewed rises on the Nepean River, Colo River and Macdonald River. This has led to renewed warnings for the Hawkesbury River: http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/flood/nepean-hawkesburyrivers.shtml with Major Flooding continuing at North Richmond and rises elsewhere to the Moderate flood level including Windsor and downstream.
As the ECL tracks south on Monday into Tuesday, there will be increased rain across the Greater Sydney region and the risk of flash flooding as well as the potential for rises on major rivers.
Areas currently affected by flooding are likely to experience high river levels for much of the week, with resupply of isolated properties expected to keep local crews busy.
ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST
The ECL is expected to affect the region later on Monday into Tuesday, with generally Minor flooding, with Moderate flooding possible on St Georges Basin.
People living and working along rivers and streams in the affected area should act now to prepare for flooding. Farmers should lift pumps and relocate livestock and equipment to higher ground. If isolation is likely stock up on food, fuel, medicine and other essential items. Consider what actions you need to undertake to stay safe should flooding develop
