Severe Weather Causes Flash Flooding in Sydney, Illawarra, and Central Coast
Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms have impacted parts of Sydney, the Illawarra, and the Central Coast in New South Wales, Australia, leading to flash flooding in several areas. The intense weather event, spanning the last 24 hours, was driven by moisture-laden easterly winds interacting with a leisurely-moving low-pressure trough.
Rainfall Totals and Impact
The heaviest rainfall began in the Illawarra region on Thursday before extending north to Sydney and the Central Coast overnight into Friday morning. Significant rainfall totals recorded up to 9am on Friday include:
- 131 mm at Mount Pleasant near Wollongong
- 122 mm at Lidcombe in Sydney, with 105 mm falling within a three-hour period and 73 mm in just one hour
- 122 mm at Darkes Forest
- 115 mm at Shanes Park in Western Sydney, including 74 mm over six hours and 45 mm in one hour
- 103 mm at Avalon
- 101 mm at Mona Vale
- 97 mm at Wamberal
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) responded to approximately 500 calls for assistance in the Sydney Metropolitan area during the 24 hours leading up to 6am on Friday. Evacuations were necessary in Fairfield, where around a dozen properties were inundated with floodwater.
Current Conditions and Forecast
As of Friday morning, the rain had eased for most of central eastern NSW. However, further showers and thunderstorms are still anticipated throughout the day as the trough remains near the coast. Authorities will continue to issue warnings if rainfall intensifies and poses a further flood risk. Residents are advised to stay updated on the latest warnings for their specific areas.
About the Illawarra Region
The Illawarra is a coastal region located in the southeast of New South Wales, Australia, situated immediately south of Sydney and north of the South Coast region. It includes the cities of Wollongong (population approximately 240,000), Shellharbour (population approximately 70,000), and Kiama (population approximately 10,000). Learn more about the Illawarra region.