Flood Warnings Issued for NSW East Coast Due to Expected Heavy Rain

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has alerted residents along the east coast to the potential of flash and riverine flood warnings NSW have been issued in response to the forecast of significant rainfall. Authorities have strategically placed flood rescue personnel, aviation assets, and vehicles to respond to the adverse weather conditions.

The Bureau of Meteorology has indicated that areas along the Hawkesbury Nepean River could experience varying degrees of flooding, ranging from minor to major, starting late Friday.

Similar forecasts predict minor to moderate flooding in regions including the Mid North Coast, Greater Sydney Region, South Coast, and North West, with a considerable risk of flash flooding due to the expected heavy rains.

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On Thursday, April 4, forecasts suggest widespread showers with rainfall amounts between 30 to 50 mm, and in some places, reaching up to 70 to 100 mm, especially in the northern districts including New England, Northern Rivers, and the Mid North Coast regions.

By Friday, the weather is expected to worsen with heavy rainfall, flash floods, strong winds along the coast, and hazardous surf conditions affecting areas such as the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Sydney Metro, Blue Mountains, and Illawarra.

Rainfall could exceed 100mm over extensive areas, with isolated spots potentially receiving up to 200mm depending on the weather system’s actual strength and location.

The situation on Saturday is predicted to shift towards Illawarra and the South Coast, where heavy rainfall, strong coastal winds, and dangerous surf conditions with large, powerful waves are anticipated to continue posing risks.

NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns has called on the public to stay informed about local conditions by downloading the Hazards Near Me app and setting up watch zones for their neighbourhoods or places they plan to visit.

Kearns emphasised the importance of preparing for the weather by securing loose items, parking vehicles away from trees, cleaning gutters, trimming tree branches, and understanding local flood risks. He strongly advised against crossing flooded roads, urging people to find alternative routes instead.

Catchments expected to be impacted include areas with forecasts of minor to major flooding across various rivers and regions:

• Bellinger and Kalang Rivers minor flooding
• Nambucca River minor flooding
• Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter River minor to moderate flooding
• Upper Nepean River minor flooding
• Hawkesbury and Lower Nepean Rivers minor to major flooding
• Upper Coxs River 
• Colo River minor to moderate flooding
• Macdonald River 
• Northern Sydney 
• Southern Sydney 
• Parramatta River
  
• Cooks River minor flooding
  
• Georges and Woronora Rivers minor flooding
  
• Illawarra Coast
  
• Shoalhaven River minor flooding
  
• St Georges Basin minor flooding
  
• Clyde River
  
• Moruya and Deua Rivers minor flooding
  
• Tuross River
  
• Bega River minor flooding
  
• Gwydir River minor flooding

For assistance from the NSW SES, the public is advised to call 132 500, and in life-threatening situations, to dial Triple Zero. For the latest updates on flood and weather warnings, residents are encouraged to visit the Bureau of Meteorology’s website at here.

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