Channel 9 news presenter Davina Smith has slammed a group of young men who were filmed jet skiing through floodwaters on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Streets at Narrabeen, Manly, Dee Why and Seaforth were smashed with wild weather and storms overnight with 120ml of rain falling in just a few hours.
Residents along xjmtzywthe Northern Beaches were told to evacuate immediately as the Manly Dam spilled, before the alert was downgraded and they were told to monitor conditions.
A live broadcast from Manly Creek showcased a group of daredevils who were using the floodwaters to wakeboard and jetski, live on air.
However, an unimpressed Smith told producers to stop broadcasting the group as she scolded them for their behaviour.
“We might cut away from that because we’re just giving them more attention,” she said.
“It’s a real, genuine worry. The message from authorities is stay out of the water. Under no circumstances should you be doing that.”
Co-anchor Charles Croucher agreed, saying it was “deadly” for people to be in the water.
“While it looks like a lot of fun, being on a jet ski, Manly Creek is just at the end of where they are. Any kind of water that flows out of there will be stormwater drains,” he said.
Smith replied: “It’s the height of a weather emergency at the moment”.
While the Northern Beaches were smashed overnight, water began to recede by Wednesday morning.
Floodwater continues to inundate major parts of the state, heavily affecting areas in Sydney’s west and beyond.
Transport Minister David Elliott is urging commuters to “rethink” and avoid non-essential travel as the state’s rail network continues to face flooding, landslides and trees on tracks.
Mr Elliott said train crews need time to clear and repair damage to the network.
He warned of “extreme” delays, as well as widespread cancellations.
’There will be further delays today. We’ve got forecasts of 100km/h of winds expected,” Mr Elliot told 2GB.
“A lot the system is going to be affected today. My message to my listeners is given these delays you might get more productivity working from home.”
