Torrential rain to last for days due to colliding weather systems amid NSW flood disaster

More wild weather is on the way for rain-soaked New South Wales as a once-in-a-century mega-storm continues to lash Australia’s east coast. 

Conditions are dangerous and volatile as more flood warnings were issued for parts of western Sydney and the NSW mid-north coast on Sunday night.

Rising floodwaters in Sydney’s west and north-west are now higher than the catastrophic 1961 flood, with residents of parts of Penrith told to leave their homes by 9pm before floods are expected to peak.

A severe weather remains in place for much of the NSW coast for life-threatening flash-flooding with 137 schools closed and staff urged to work from home on Monday.

Up to 60mm of rain is forecast to soak Sydney Sydney on Monday after 110mm fell in the space of 24 hours over the weekend as two weather systems collide.

By 4.30pm on Sunday, floodwaters had started to inundate homes in Ladbury Avenue Penrith (pictured)

A police car was inundated in floodwaters in Freemans Reach in Sydney's north-west on Sunday

A police car was inundated in floodwaters in Freemans Reach in Sydney’s north-west on Sunday

An abandoned umbrella lies at the flood intersection of Ladbury and Memorial Avenue in Penrith in Sydney's west

An abandoned umbrella lies at the flood intersection of Ladbury and Memorial Avenue in Penrith in Sydney’s west

A large crowd of residents gathered at the new Windsor Bridge on Sunday to keep a vigilant eye on the Hawkesbury River

A large crowd of residents gathered at the new Windsor Bridge on Sunday to keep a vigilant eye on the Hawkesbury River

Windsor residents in Sydney's north-west braved the wet conditions to keep a close eye on the flooded Hawkesbury River

Windsor residents in Sydney’s north-west braved the wet conditions to keep a close eye on the flooded Hawkesbury River

Late Sunday afternoon, NSW State Emergency Service declared western parts of Penrith as a high danger area where some properties have already been inundated with water.

An evacuation order was issued for all properties within the area bounded by the Nepean River, south of the Great Western Highway and west of Peach Tree Creek, including Captains Road; Fitch Avenue; Ladbury Avenue; Memorial Avenue; Nepean Avenue; and Recreation Avenue.

Residents in the immediate vicinity of Cables Wake Park bounded by Nepean River, Jamison Road and Peach Tree Creek were also ordered to evacuate.

‘Once floodwater reaches 7.96m the Great Western Highway Evacuation Route will be cut. If you remain in the area, you may be trapped without power, water and other essential services and it may be too dangerous to rescue you,’ a NSW SES alert states.

Evacuees are urged to bring drinking water and food with them and relocate personal possessions to a safe place.

The Nepean River is expected to peak around 10.4 metres at midnight Sunday.

Inmates at the Emu Plains and nearby Amber Laurel Correctional Centres have also being evacuated, Corrective Services has confirmed.

Flood evacuation warnings have been issued for the Windsor CBD, eastern parts of South Windsor, southern parts of Wilberforce and Wisemans Ferry due the rising levels of the Hawkesbury River.

Affected residents have until Monday morning to evacuate. 

‘Once floodwater enters at 15.45m, the area will experience increasing flood levels, progressively forcing residents to evacuate their homes. If you remain in the area after 9am Monday, you may become trapped without power, water and other essential services and it may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you,’ the SES states.

An evacuation centre has been set up for Castle Hill RSL for who need temporary accommodation. 

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jonathan How said ‘relentless rainfall’ will lash parts of Sydney and eastern NSW until at least Tuesday.

 ‘This is a dynamic situation, so check for flood warning updates regularly,’ he warned.

EVACUATION ORDERS FOR WESTERN SYDNEY

Western part of Jamisontown area: Evacuate by 9pm

– People within Western part of Jamisontown to evacuate the high danger area using the Great Western Highway Evacuation Route.

The evacuation is for all properties within the area of all properties bounded by Jamison road, Surveyors Creek, Blaikie Road, Rear of Penrith Homemaker Centre, Western Motorway and Nepean River.

Residents of Regentville along the low lying parts of Mulgoa Creek: Evacuate by 9pm

– People along Martin Street between Mulgoa Creek and the Nepean River of area to evacuate the high danger area using the Mulgoa Road Evacuation Route.

The evacuation is for all properties along Martin Street between Mulgoa Creek and the Nepean River. 

Residents within Western parts of Penrith: Evacuate by 4:30pm

– People within the Western parts of Penrith to evacuate the high danger area using the Memorial Avenue onto the Great western highway onto Victoria Bridge towards Emu Plains. Water is already entering the rear of properties along Ladbury Avenue.

The evacuation is for all properties within the area bounded by the Nepean River, south of the Great Western Highway and west of Peach Tree Creek. Includes: Captains Road; Fitch Avenue; Ladbury Avenue; Memorial Avenue; Nepean Avenue; and Recreation Avenue.

Simple things you can do now:

Take pets, essential items, warm clothes, medicines, insurance documents and valuables with you.

Leave as early as possible to avoid restricted road access.

Take drinking water and food due to expected travel time.

Share this information with family, friends and neighbours and help others where possible.

Critical Information to remember 

Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater.

Stack possessions, records, stock or equipment on benches and tables, placing electrical items on top.

Secure objects that are likely to float and cause damage.

Relocate waste containers, chemicals and poisons well above floor level.

Activate your Home or Business FloodSafe Plan.

Keep listening to your local radio station for information, updates and advice.

Keep in contact with your neighbours.

Be prepared to evacuate if advised by emergency services.

Act early as roads may become congested or close.

More information at SES.

Many residents in Penrith were ordered to evacuate their homes on Sunday night as flood waters in the Nepean River continue to rise. Pictured is a flooded park near the Nepean River on Sunday

Many residents in Penrith were ordered to evacuate their homes on Sunday night as flood waters in the Nepean River continue to rise. Pictured is a flooded park near the Nepean River on Sunday 

Residents in western parts of Penrith were ordered to evacuate by SES volunteersu00A0 on Sunday afternoon before flood levels rise. Pictured are residents inu00A0Ladbury Ave, Penrith.

Residents in western parts of Penrith were ordered to evacuate by SES volunteers  on Sunday afternoon before flood levels rise. Pictured are residents in Ladbury Ave, Penrith.

The corner of Ladbury and Memorial Ave Penrith (pictured) is now underwater, forcing local residents to evacuate

The corner of Ladbury and Memorial Ave Penrith (pictured) is now underwater, forcing local residents to evacuate

DISASTER RELIEF PAYMENTS FOR FLOOD-HIT FAMILIES

Residents who have suffered home damage or serious injuries in devastating floods sweeping across NSW are being granted immediate access to disaster relief payments.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday announced the activation of the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance for 18 NSW local government areas.

Under the AGDRP, eligible residents caught up in the storms and floods can apply for a one-off payment of $1,000 for adults and $400 for children.

Those who have lost their livelihoods can also now get a short-term income payment through the DRA for up to 13 weeks.

Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud said the disaster package would help people who had suffered significant loss.

‘Our first concern is for the safety and needs of those directly affected, particularly those whose homes have been inundated by floodwaters,’ he said in a statement.

‘By making these payments available to the affected residents, the Australian government will ensure that those who have lost or sustained damage to their homes or lost their livelihoods as a result of the floods will have the additional assistance they need.’

In a social media video on Sunday, the prime minister advised flood-impacted residents to claim the relief payments by calling Services Australia on 180 22 66.

‘It can be processed over the phone, you just need to provide your details and explain your circumstances to them, and we can arrange those payments to you as quickly as possible,’ Mr Morrison said.

The package has initially been extended to Armidale, Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock City, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Hawkesbury, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland City, Mid-Coast, Nambucca Valley, Newcastle City, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Penrith, Port Stephens and Tenterfield.

More LGAs will be added to the list in consultation with the NSW government, while mutual obligation requirements for job seeker’s in the 18 regions have been lifted from March 19 until April 6.

The prime minister has been in contact with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Sunday to offer the support of the Australian Defence Force.

Mr Morrison acknowledged the need for a ‘big clean-up operation’ on the other side of the floods, the worst to hit metropolitan Sydney in 50 years and the Mid-North Coast in a century.

But he indicated the recovery effort was a problem for another day, urging people to stay safe and listen to authorities.

‘They trained for this, they prepare for this, and they’re there to help you right now,’ Mr Morrison said.

‘I wish you every safety in these very trying times.’

Greens Leader Adam Bandt described the ‘tragic’ weather event as a grim look into an Australian future with bigger fires and worse floods, calling on the federal government to declare a climate emergency.

”Unprecedented’ fires one year, ‘once in a 50 year’ floods the next. This is not normal,’ Mr Bandt said in a statement.

 

The rain will persist on Monday while severe thunderstorms are forecast for northern inland NSW.

A  tropical low over northern WA and a coastal trough off NSW are expected to collide on Monday night, sparking a ‘multi-state rain band’. 

‘This could cause further river rises, so it’s important to stay vigilant as conditions can change quickly,’ Mr How said.

‘Rain and floods are not over yet!’ 

Of the 7,370 calls for help the NSW State Emergency Service has been inundated with since Thursday, 1940 have been logged since Saturday night. 

The SES has also conducted 685 flood rescues since Thursday.

In Sydney’s north-western outskirts, a large crowd walked through flooded streets to gather at the new Windsor Bridge to watch the Hawkesbury River rise.

Evacuation orders were also issued for low lying areas of Agnes Banks and North Richmond, along with Pitt Town North earlier on Sunday. 

The river at Richmond could reach higher than 16 metres by Monday while moderate flooding continues along the Colo River, with major flooding possible from Sunday night.

This Penrith resident braved the rain to take photos of the Nepean River, which could rise to levels of the 1961 flood

This Penrith resident braved the rain to take photos of the Nepean River, which could rise to levels of the 1961 flood

State Emergency Service personnel braved dangerous conditions while searching for two men stranded on a rooftop in Freemans Reach, north-west of Sydney

State Emergency Service personnel braved dangerous conditions while searching for two men stranded on a rooftop in Freemans Reach, north-west of Sydney

It comes as local SES volunteers launched a search for two men stranded in Freemans Reach after they spent the day moving livestock.

The NSW mid north coast isn’t out of the wood yet either with more warnings issued on Sunday night for the Gloucester and Manning Rivers.

Current projections indicate the deluge could result in flooding similar in scale to the 1961 flood with the Warragamba Dam spillway releasing water at a rate of 450 gigalitres per day.  

Sydney Harbour holds 500 gigalitres by comparison. 

Flow data up to Sunday indicates that half of the floodwaters in the Hawkesbury-Nepean river system downstream of the dam were from tributary flow, not the dam.

Low-lying areas of Windsor near the Hawkesbury River have been inundated with heavy rain in recent days

Low-lying areas of Windsor near the Hawkesbury River have been inundated with heavy rain in recent days

The new Windsor Bridge was inundated with with water and debris from the flooded Hawkesbury River on Sunday

The new Windsor Bridge was inundated with with water and debris from the flooded Hawkesbury River on Sunday

In the far NSW north coast, the heavy rain and wild conditions didn't dampen the spirits of surfers at Byron Bay

In the far NSW north coast, the heavy rain and wild conditions didn’t dampen the spirits of surfers at Byron Bay

137 New South Wales schools closed due to localised flooding 

 Barrington Public School

Beechwood Public School

Bellbrook Public School

Bellingen High School

Bobbin Public School

Booral Public School

Brewongle Environmental Education Centre

Bungwahl Public School

Camden Haven High School

Carool Public School

Cattai Public School

Chatham High School

Chatham Public School

Chester Hill High School

Colo Heights Public School

Colo High School

Comboyne Public School

Congewai Public School

Coolongolook Public School

Coopernook Public School

Crescent Head Public School

Cundletown Public School

Dungog Public School

Elands Public School

Eungai Public School

Frederickton Public School

Gladstone Public School

Glenbrook Public School

Glenvale SSP (North Entrance Campus)

Glossodia Public School

Green Hill Public School

Hannam Vale Public School

Hastings Public School

Harrington Public School

Hawkesbury High School

Herrons Creek Public School

Hinton Public School

Hopetown Public School

Jiliby Public School

John’s River Public School

Kempsey East Public School

Kempsey High School

Kempsey West Public School

Kendell Public School

Kinchela Public School

Krambach Public School

Kurrambee School 

Laguna Public School

Lake Cathue Public School

Lansdowne Public School

Laurieton Public School

Lisarow High School

Lisarow Public School

Long Flat Public School

Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre

MacDonald Valley Public School

Manning Gardens Public School

Medlow Public School

Megalong Valley Public School

Melville High School

Millers Forrest Public School

Mitchells Island Public School

Moorland Public School

Mount George Public School

Mount Kanwary Public School

Nabiac Public School

Nambucca Heads High School

Narara Valley High School

North Haven Public School

Old Bar Public School

Orama Public School

Pacific Palms Public School

Penrith Valley Learning Centre

Pitt Town Public School

Port Macquarie Public School

Rolland Plains Upper Public School

South West Rocks Public School

Smithtown Public School

Taree High School

Taree Public School

Taree West Public School

Telegraph Point Public School

Tinonee Public School

The Pocket Public School

Upper Lansdown Public School

Wauchope High School

Westport Public School

Willawarrin Public School

Windsor High School

Wingham Brush Public School

Wingham High School

Wingham Public School

Wooli Public School

Wyong Creek Public School

Source: Department of Education New South Wales 

Much of the Sydney metropolitan area copped a 110mm soaking  in the space of 24 hours on Sunday.

Dozens of schools have been closed, employees urged to work from home and an additional 4,000 homes could be evacuated on Sunday night.

All schools in the Kempsey area on the NSW mid north coast will be closed on Monday.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian held an emergency conference on Sunday to beg residents to play it safe and reiterate how ‘serious and severe this weather is’. 

She said the NSW Mid North Coast, which was worst hit on Saturday and overnight, is enduring a once-in-a-century storm, while regions in western Sydney haven’t seen rainfall this severe in 50 years. 

‘We were hoping it would only be a one in 20-year event. It looks like it will actually be a one in 50-year event,’ Ms Berejiklian said of conditions in the Hawkesbury Valley on Sunday.  

Emergency services have now identified the Hawkesbury Valley and western Sydney as the highest risk zones in the coming days. Ms Berejiklian anticipated 4,000 homes in the region could be evacuated.

On Sunday, the Department of Education announced 38 public schools would close on Monday due to localised flooding. Parents with children at Catholic or private schools will be notified separately if their campus had been impacted.

Parts of Port Macquarie (pictured) and nearby towns have flooded and further south Taree is in the grip of a flood rivalling its worst on record nearly 100 years ago

Parts of Port Macquarie (pictured) and nearby towns have flooded and further south Taree is in the grip of a flood rivalling its worst on record nearly 100 years ago

Many areas across eastern NSW recorded more than 100mm of rain over the past 24 hours, particularly in the Blue Mountains. Pictured: The Parramatta River in flood

Many areas across eastern NSW recorded more than 100mm of rain over the past 24 hours, particularly in the Blue Mountains. Pictured: The Parramatta River in flood

Roads have been closed due to flooding, making it dangerous for people to travel to work or take their kids to school. Pictured is North Richmond Bridge

Roads have been closed due to flooding, making it dangerous for people to travel to work or take their kids to school. Pictured is North Richmond Bridge

Cars are seen driving through floodwater in Richmond, NSW, Sunday, March 21

Cars are seen driving through floodwater in Richmond, NSW, Sunday, March 21

Heavy rainfall also arrived in Byron Bay on Sunday afternoon, washing away roads and wreaking havoc on the coastal town

Heavy rainfall also arrived in Byron Bay on Sunday afternoon, washing away roads and wreaking havoc on the coastal town

‘It’s the sustained rainfall, the fact that weather event has settled in, it’s not moving,’ she said. 

‘We cannot underestimate the ferocity of these weather conditions. We have gone from extreme bushfire to extreme flood.’     

Employees have been encouraged to work from home in an attempt to curb any unnecessary road travel and avoid an ‘inevitable fatality’.

State Premier Gladys Berejiklian held an emergency conference on Sunday to beg residents to play it safe and reiterate how 'serious and severe this weather is'

State Premier Gladys Berejiklian held an emergency conference on Sunday to beg residents to play it safe and reiterate how ‘serious and severe this weather is’

Residents watch as floodwaters rise on Sunday amid warnings the situation could get worse

Residents watch as floodwaters rise on Sunday amid warnings the situation could get worse

A car is left stuck in raging floodwater at the Audley Weir in the Royal National Park south of Sydney

A car is left stuck in raging floodwater at the Audley Weir in the Royal National Park south of Sydney

Heavy rain and flooding has triggered evacuations on the New South Wales mid coast with over 120mm rain expected for Sydney

Heavy rain and flooding has triggered evacuations on the New South Wales mid coast with over 120mm rain expected for Sydney 

What makes this a ‘once-in-50-year’ flood? 

Gladys Berejiklian spoke in her Sunday press conference about how unprecedented the weather conditions around New South Wales are right now.

Some regions are experiencing ‘once-in-a-century’ floods, while others, like western Sydney and the Hawkesbury Valley, haven’t seen anything of this magnitude in at least 50 years.

BoM flood operations manager Justin Robinson said residents are experiencing what will likely be ‘one of the biggest floods we will see for a very long time’.

‘Just to give you some context around that, it is bigger than the February 2020 flood. It is bigger than the 1988 flood. It is bigger than the 1990 flood and is bigger than the 1964 flood,’ he said. 

Ms Berejiklian said there are multiple defining factors which helped forecasters reach that conclusion beyond just the amount of rainfall.

The sustained length of the showers, for example, is unprecedented. 

‘This is different. What we’re going through now is different to what you’ve been through for the last 50 years, so please take it seriously,’ she said. 

David Elliott, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, detailed 74 flood rescues which took place overnight – including many in which people had ‘unnecessarily’ put themselves in danger. 

‘Motorists need to know that, statistically, we’re moving inevitably closer to a fatality,’ he said. 

‘This is the wrong time of year to be taking risks… With the damage that’s been done across the road network a fatality is getting more and more likely.’   

In total, emergency services have responded to 6,700 calls since Friday and rescued 670 people.

Footage shared to the NSW Rural Fire Service Twitter page showed a person being rescued from their home in Taree – which was entirely surrounded by water – by helicopter.

Mr Elliott acknowledged weather conditions in NSW have swung from one extreme to the next in the last 18 months.

‘It’s just a reality of living in Australia,’ he said.  

David Elliott, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, detailed 74 flood rescues which took place overnight - including many in which people had 'unnecessarily' put themselves in danger

David Elliott, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, detailed 74 flood rescues which took place overnight – including many in which people had ‘unnecessarily’ put themselves in danger

Yellow areas are subject to a Bureau of Meteorology severe weather warning of heavy rain and damaging winds for Sunday. The marked locations are subject to evacuation orders or warnings

Yellow areas are subject to a Bureau of Meteorology severe weather warning of heavy rain and damaging winds for Sunday. The marked locations are subject to evacuation orders or warnings

The federal and state governments on Sunday morning announced 16 national disaster declarations from Coffs Harbour and Grafton areas in northern NSW into the west to Cessnock and Dungog, and to the Central Coast. 

The regions include Bellingen, Clarence Valley, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie City, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Tenterfield. 

Relief funding can now start to be funnelled into local council areas for recovery efforts from the catastrophic rainfall. 

Queensland, South Australia and Victoria have all deployed resources to New South Wales to help crews already on the ground. 

Ms Berejiklian said authorities were not expecting conditions to deteriorate further along the Mid North Coast, but residents were warned the rain has set in for at least the next five days. 

There are also concerns about a weather event moving southeast from the Northern Territory.

This entire street near the Paterson river in Hinton, in the NSW Hunter region, is underwater

This entire street near the Paterson river in Hinton, in the NSW Hunter region, is underwater

Port Macquarie is now almost underwater as the Mid North Coast town is lashed with torrential rain

Port Macquarie is now almost underwater as the Mid North Coast town is lashed with torrential rain

The Bureau of Meteorology described the weather situation as 'volatile, dangerous and dynamic'

The Bureau of Meteorology described the weather situation as ‘volatile, dangerous and dynamic’

Forecasters predict it will hit western parts of NSW by Monday and Tuesday, potentially wreaking havoc on the regions and intensifying current conditions.  

Natural disaster declared in the following regions:

 Armidale

Bellingen

Central Coast

Cessnock City Council

Clarence Valley

Coffs Harbour City

Dungog Shire

Kempsey

Lake Macquarie City

Maitland City

Mid-Coast

Nambucca Valley

Newcastle City

Port Macquarie-Hastings

Port Stephens

Tenterfield

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Jonathan How said it was likely the Hawkesbury River at Richmond could overflow after it ‘ticked over to the major flood levels’.

He warned residents from Wollongong all the way to the Queensland border could be at risk. 

Meanwhile, an evacuation order has been issued for Picton in southwest Sydney after the Warragamba Dam started spilling over on Saturday afternoon, causing water levels to rise in the Nepean and Hawkesbury rivers. 

‘As a result of rising flood waters people within the Picton CBD should prepare to evacuate,’ the NSW SES said.

‘Residents should monitor the situation and be prepared to evacuate when instructed to do so. A flood evacuation order will be issued by the NSW SES if evacuation is required. 

‘Once floodwaters begin to rise in Stonequarry Creek you will see flooding of roads, sewerage lines and power may be lost, and properties to be inundated. If you remain in the area you may become trapped and it may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you.’  

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Agata Imielsk warned of ‘treacherous’ conditions to come and said four times the March monthly average will fall in NSW in just two days. 

‘For the communities out there, you have already experienced some really dangerous conditions and they are going to be treacherous yet again so keep a close eye on warnings,’ she said. 

Houses are destroyed after flooding following heavy rainfall in Tinonee, New South Wales

Houses are destroyed after flooding following heavy rainfall in Tinonee, New South Wales

A house is seen after a landslip took out some of its foundations, forcing the road to be closed on Shortland esplanade in Newcastle on Sunday

A house is seen after a landslip took out some of its foundations, forcing the road to be closed on Shortland esplanade in Newcastle on Sunday

Earlier, the Bureau described the weather situation as ‘volatile, dangerous and dynamic’. 

‘Even enough we are seeing the rainfall and rivers dropping down, we are expecting that to pick back up, so that will remain another watch point in the next 24 hours,’ Ms Imielsk said.  

‘So for Sydney, we are still expecting a wet day tomorrow but today is really the bigger of the two.’     

Many areas across eastern NSW recorded more than 100mm of rain over the past 24 hours, including the Sydney CBD. Picton received 159mm and Oakdale recorded 139mm.

More than 700mm of rain has fallen on Kendall, 35km southwest of Port Macquarie, since Thursday.    

The wild weather caused devastation to a home on Shortland Esplanade near the Newcastle ocean baths with the property teetering on the edge after a landslide hit the area.  

Taree is in the grip of a flood rivalling its worst on record 92 years ago as parts of the town have flooded (pictured)

Taree is in the grip of a flood rivalling its worst on record 92 years ago as parts of the town have flooded (pictured) 

After three days of heavy rain, the Parramatta River (pictured)u00A0 spilled over on Saturday

After three days of heavy rain, the Parramatta River (pictured)  spilled over on Saturday

Residents in the Pitt Town Bottoms, Cornwallis and North Richmond areas west of Sydney were also told to evacuate in the dead of night as the Hawkesbury River began to flood. 

The SES issued several orders telling people in these areas to take pets and essential items with them and stay with family or friends, or go at an evacuation centre.

‘If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water and other essential services,’ the SES said in the evacuation orders. 

Bellingen residents and people at a tourist park in the Mid North Coast town were also advised to evacuate because of the risk of flooding along the Bellingen River.

Evacuation centres were established at Richmond and Bellingen, adding to several others opened in the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions.  

Emergency crews kept working through the night, having already made more than 500 floodwater rescues. Pictured: Taree in NSW

Emergency crews kept working through the night, having already made more than 500 floodwater rescues. Pictured: Taree in NSW 

Floodwaters in Port Macquarie are seen as residents are told to evacuate (pictured on Saturday)

Floodwaters in Port Macquarie are seen as residents are told to evacuate (pictured on Saturday)

Locals are seen having a drink at a pub despite the venue being completely flooded by the wild weather (pictured pub in Telegraph Point, northern NSW)

Locals are seen having a drink at a pub despite the venue being completely flooded by the wild weather (pictured pub in Telegraph Point, northern NSW)

Sydney’s Warragamba Dam spills over 

 Residents in the Warragamba Dam catchment are on high alert and may have to evacuate as the primary reservoir of water supply for Sydney overflows.

The heritage-listed Warragamba Dam, located about 70km from central Sydney, started spilling mid-afternoon on Saturday, as rain continues to batter parts of NSW.

The volume of water is expected to increase into Sunday as rainfall and flooding continues, Water NSW said.

Residents in the suburb of Picton have been urged to evacuate their homes after the Waragamba Dam overflowed on Saturday

Residents in the suburb of Picton have been urged to evacuate their homes after the Waragamba Dam overflowed on Saturday  

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Saturday afternoon she had been briefed on the dam situation ‘in relation to a potential for a one-in-five-year, one-in-10-year, or one-in-20-year event’.

‘All three scenarios being planned for,’ she said.

She warned residents in the catchment area, as well as those in the mid-north coast, the Hunter, central coast and metropolitan Sydney to be on high alert and ready to evacuate.

Flood expert Jamie Pittock is less concerned about the Warragamba Dam spilling as he is about tributary rivers downstream from it, such as the Grose River, overflowing and flooding parts of western Sydney.

‘There are around 5,000 houses (in western Sydney) that lie below the one-in-100-year flood return interval,’ the Australia National University professor told AAP.

Most housing developments around the world are not allowed to be built in a one-in-100-year area, but successive NSW governments have allowed the irresponsible building of housing in these low-lying locations, Prof Pittock said.

‘It’s always worrying when there’s a flood in western Sydney because it’s one of the most dangerous places in Australia for floods.’

Prof Pittock said he was most concerned about Penrith, Richmond and Windsor.

Bureau of Meteorology national flood services manager Justin Robinson said a spill at Warragamba Dam could lead to minor flooding in Sydney’s west, specifically at Penrith and North Richmond later on Saturday.

‘It’s a very dynamic and evolving flood situation and we could see some very deep and rapid responding rivers with very high levels,’ he said on Saturday.

Other dams such as Nepean, Cataract, Cordeaux and Avon are also expected to reach capacity and begin spilling on Saturday afternoon, Water NSW said.

The mayor of Wollondilly Shire Council, the local government area in which Warragamba Dam is located, told AAP he was concerned about flooding in lower areas.

Robert Khan cannot remember the dam spilling over in his nearly 40 years of living in the area and said businesses on the main street of Picton were currently sandbagging their stores.

‘We’ve had drought, bushfires and floods. I know it’s mother nature but how much can a local business take?’ he said.

The dam spill has occurred amid the NSW government’s controversial plans to raise the dam wall by at least 14 metres to potentially hold back additional water in the Blue Mountains. 

Theu00A0Hastings River in Port Macquarie, NSW is pictured on Saturday morning - as millions brace for a weekend of endless wild weather

The Hastings River in Port Macquarie, NSW is pictured on Saturday morning – as millions brace for a weekend of endless wild weather