Sydney Weather: Danger to life warning issued as storm hits
Warning as ‘very dangerous storm’ hits Sydney after triggering landslides and flash floods in the south with 73mm of rain in just an hour
- Severe thunderstorms will hit Sydney and NSW
- Residents are urged to stay at home and not drive
- The storms can cause ‘life-threatening’ flash floods
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A ‘very dangerous’ storm has hit Sydney with fears it could cause ‘life-threatening’ flash flooding in the city.
Emergency services responded to reports of landslides on Thursday afternoon and roads have been closed in southern parts of Sydney.
The landslides have hit parts of Illawara, where residents have been urged to stay home and not drive.
The NSW State Emergency Services said it had received more than a minute a minute since the storm hit, most of which came from Illawara.
The SES responded to more than 300 calls on Thursday, with 23 separate flood rescues, most of which are currently underway.
People have been rescued from cars and buildings, although it is unclear at this time if there are any injuries.
Shocking footage shows cars being swept away by flooding in Stanwell Park.
Flash flooding in Stanwell Park, north of Woollongong, on Thursday as storms batter NSW
The Bureau of Meteorology said an ‘approaching upper trough combines with an unstable environment’ to cause the severe thunderstorms in NSW
Weeks of sunshine across NSW were cut short with Bellambi recording 95mm of rainfall in one hour, 73mm at Shellharbour Airport in one hour and Cringila reaching 90mm in two hours.
Severe thunderstorms were forecast to hit the Sydney suburbs first, Hurstville, Kurnell and Thirroul, and Bankstown, Holsworthy and Randwick by 2.40pm.
The Bureau of Meteorology said an “approaching upper trough combines with an unstable environment” to produce the severe thunderstorms in NSW.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to bring intense rainfall that could lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding in parts of the Metropolitan and Illawarra districts in the coming hours.
Other severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall were detected on weather radar near Sydney Airport and Botany. They are expected to hit Maroubra at 2.10 pm.’
Heavy falls are also expected for inland areas from Orange to Yass.
NSW’s central regions are also expected to face a downpour on Thursday.
Heavy rainfall is expected to hit Sydney, Parramatta, Wollongong, Campbelltown, Kiama and Huskisson on Thursday afternoon.
Edmund Rice College in Wollongong was evacuated after flooding and Towradgi Public School contacted parents around noon asking them to collect the children early due to the storm.
A heavy rain warning has been issued for areas of the Central and Southern Tablelands, including Orange, Bathurst, Yass, Blayney and Trunkey Creek.
In November, around 20,000 residents in central west NSW, particularly in Bathurst, were without hot water for showering or ovens for cooking for weeks due to flooding that hit a vital gas pipeline.
SES flood rescue workers attend incidents in Berkeley, Unanderra, Wollongong and North Wollongong.
The SES warns that flash floods could extend to Nowra, Port Kembla, Albion Park, Kiama and Huskisson.