Flood warnings remained in place for the Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers on Friday evening.
Several major roadways, including the Windsor Bridge were closed, forcing motorists to find alternative routes.
“Motorists who need to travel are advised to allow extra time and follow the directions of emergency services or traffic crews,” the Transport Management Centre warnexjmtzywd.
Despite easing rainfall, thousands of residents were on standby to be evacuated if conditions worsened.
Parts of Sackville North, Ebenezer, Pitt Town Bottoms and Leets Vale South were evacuated throughout Friday.
Warragamba Dam continued to spill, causing minor to moderate flooding along the Nepean and Hawkesbury.
Good news for weary residents was that further rainfall into the weekend was not expected to cause additional river level rises.
“Further showers are forecast for the remainder of Friday and during Saturday, which are not expected to produce renewed river level rises,” The Bureau of Meteorology said.
The Nepean River at Menangle Bridge peaked at 16.83m on Thursday afternoon, higher than the March 2022 flood peak (15.92m) and slightly higher than the April 1988 flood peak (16.75m).
The floods have already claimed one life, that of a man who became trapped with his vehicle in floodwaters in the southwest Sydney suburb of Cobbitty.
Just before 8am on Friday, police officers discovered a man’s body inside a car submerged in floodwaters.
Cobbitty, near Camden, is nestled on the Nepean River, which broke its banks on Thursday afternoon.
At least five people have already been rescued by State Emergency Service boats in Camden.
Roads that remained closed on Friday evening were:
*Windsor Road between Pitt Town Road and Court Street at McGraths Hill
*Pitt Town Road between Wolseley Road at McGraths Hill and Glebe Road at Pitt Town
*Hawkesbury Valley Road between Moses Street and Racecourse Road at Clarendon.
*North Richmond Bridge and Yarramundi Bridge
*Galston Road between Galston and Hornsby Heights
*Douglas Park Causeway at Douglas Park
*Menangle Bridge at Menangle
*Audley Weir in the Royal National Park
Those leaving Sydney for the school holidays were told to watch out for weather warnings and remain vigilant.
“Be aware of your surroundings, stay across the weather situation and plan your trip accordingly,” NSW SES said.
The federal government announced on Friday it would provide free structural assessments and demolitions for properties in flood-affected regions.
Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Minister Bridget McKenzie said the joint state and federal program would meet the full cost of demolishing structures which are uninhabitable and beyond economical repair.
“Covering all costs related to the assessment of damage, and demolition if required, means uninsured owners will have one less thing to worry about, and people with insurance can put more money towards their rebuild,” Ms McKenzie said.
