Hundreds of residents across Sydney’s west are waiting to hear if they will need to evacuate, with the State Emergency Service particularly concerned for the Mid North Coast, the Hawkesbury valley and western NSW.

The collision of two powerful weather systems over the east coast of NSW on Monday night will also add to prolonged wet weather conditions across the state.

Emma-Jane Garrow should be busy setting up for her daughter’s 10th birthday party – a sleepover in the backyard with some friends. Instead, she and her family are preparing their property and helping neighbours ahead of the worsening conditions.

SES teams rescue Windsor residents from their homes as the Hawkesbury River floods across the region.Credit:Nick Moir

“We are very much grown in this environment and are aware of the predicaments and plan accordingly,” she said.

“There are an overwhelming lot of emotions flowing around here at the moment,” she said. “There’s big community spirit and everyone is jumping in and helping out.”

“We learn young around here how to help each other out.”

Residents in the Windsor CBD are waiting to hear if an evacuation order will be issued for the area. At 1am on Monday morning, a warning was issued to prepare for evacuation.

Emma-Jane Garrow should be celebrating her daughter’s 10th birthday, but instead the family is dealing with the floods.Credit:Nick Moir

Overnight, the Hawkesbury River water levels peaked at 12.09 metres. The river may peak near 13 metres on Monday evening, with major flooding. This level is similar to the April 1988 and July 1990 flood events.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Helen Kirkup said Penrith and North Richmond, on the Hawkesbury-Nepean, have had their current flood peak move through, while Windsor “is yet to have their peak”.

However, heavy falls expected in the catchments in the region on Monday and Tuesday, including the Colo River, mean “there’s still a lot more to come downstream” – so the flood levels will remain high for days to come.

“There’s enough rainfall to come to have an impact,” Ms Kirkup said.

She said the two powerful weather systems comprised of a coastal trough, which has caused heavy rainfall over the past five days, and an inland trough that is stretching across the continent and will feed rainfall across the western part of the state.

“They’re going to make each others’ presence felt tonight and into tomorrow,” she said. “At this stage, we’re expecting their effect to be shortlived and over the water by Wednesday.”

The Nepean River breaching its banks on Sunday after days of heavy rain.Credit:Wolter Peeters

While some wet weather may linger on the far north coast, conditions are likely to improve later in the week. But Ms Kirkup warned that the impact of the rain on the landscape and water catchment system will take a while to recede.

Ms Kirkup noted rainfall totals have reached 900 millimetres or higher in parts of northern NSW over the past week. “They have had some cracking numbers,” she says.

A severe weather warning remains in place for much of the state.

Most of the Sydney Basin can expect the drenching to continue, with 85-150 millimetres forecast for Monday and Tuesday for the CBD and similar totals for Penrith in the west and Campbelltown in the south.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says his government stands ready to respond to any requests for assistance from state and territories.

While Mr Morrison said he has not received any requests for the Australian Defence Force to step in, he anticipates requests for recovery assistance will come later on Monday.

People are urged to check the BOM’s warning page for further information.

Most Viewed in National

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article