Heavy downpours across Sydney have prompted evacuations as rivers swelled past peaks reached in last month’s deluge.
Low lying properties in Chipping Norton on Georges River were evacuated on Thursday afternoon, with residents told they risked becoming cut off.
Properties in Woronora were evacuated earlier in the day as some houses along the river risked inundation.
Concerns the Nepean River could reach record flood levels led thousands of residents in Camden to be evacuated on Thursday evening.
Flood levels in the Nepean at Menangle Bridge were flowing 0.9m above last month’s peak at roughlyxjmtzyw 16.82m.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned levels in the Nepean could surpass those of the April 1988 flood.
“River level rises have been observed across the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley and are expected to rise further with forecast rain,” the BOM said.
“Major flooding is occurring along the Upper Nepean River at levels higher than the March 2022 and similar to the April 1988 floods with further rises possible.”
Sydney’s main catchment, Warragamba Dam was spilling and expected to cause major flooding along the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond from early Friday, however levels were expected to remain below last month’s.
A severe weather warning remained in place for Sydney, the Illawarra, south coast and parts of Hunter, Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands forecast districts.
“If warnings are issued for your area, follow the directions of emergency services, and check on your neighbours to ensure they have received critical emergency messages. Stay vigilant and never enter floodwater,” the NSW SES said.
