Residents north of Sydney suffer floods for second time in a year

By admin On Mar 3, 2022

People hit by flooding a year ago, north of Sydney, are suffering again being swamped by water, despite the forecast storms being less intense than feared.

And worse conditions could be on the way at Windsor, on the Hawkesbury River north west of Sydney, with the NSW SES predicting water levels could rise further.

While levels have peaked at nearby North Richmond, at 12.90 metres, they continue to rise at Windsor and major flooding is possible into today, with rain to continue.

Ken Anderson inspects the inundated sites at Ulibawn Ski Park in Sackville North, near the Hawkesbury River. (SMH)

It’s not yet known how many homes and businesses have been flooded, but images including from the village of Sackville, near Windsor, show homes under water almost up to their roofs and debris scattered across the area.

Windsor Bridge is underwater, just like it was this time last year — despite the fact it was supposed to be ‘flood proof.’

Ross Gerrard from Windsor said’ “it came up quicker than last year.”

The Hawkesbury River is filling up with floodwaters that have overtaken the Windsor Bridge in Sydney's north-west. — Windsor Bridge is underwater, just like it was this time last year- despite the fact it was supposed to be ‘flood proof.’ (9News)

Ben Sullivan had only just fixed his house after last years’ floods.

“It’s a lot of work, a lot of effort, its just draining,” he told 9News

Some people evacuated yesterday from Shanes Park near Blacktown said they’d lost everything, as storms which have killed ten people further north headed to Sydney.

As well as helping people – including a family with a 12-day old baby – escape, NSW SES crews helped get a cow to safety, as well as 21 dogs and puppies, plus four alpacas and two lizards.

Locals watch as the Windsor Bridge is swallowed by floodwater from the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney. (Flavio Brancaleone)

And while people living in The Redbank area of North Richmond can return, the village of Wisemans Ferry, which sits right on the Hawkesbury, is also still on alert, with the possibility of a 3.50m peak on Friday afternoon, with the high tide.

There is a chance of yet more showers and storms for Sydney today.

The Windsor Bridge partly submerged under rising floodwaters along the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney, NSW. (Getty)

Over half a million people were under evacuation warnings or orders on Wednesday, but conditions have eased in many areas, especially in the south and south west of Sydney.

Alerts are over in Georges Hall, parts of Holsworthy, parts of Milperra, parts of Picnic Point and Warwick have also now been cancelled.

People in Woronora, south of Sydney can also return home.

The Georges River peaked in Liverpool and Milperra on Thursday, with flooding no longer expected in both areas, as rainfall eased.

No further flooding is expected in the Georges River – which peaked at 3.47 metres at Liverpool Bridge at 9pm on Wednesday.

Residents attempt to rescue deer from rising floodwaters along the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney. (Getty)

Meanwhile, floods continue along the Nepean Rivers at Menangle and Camden, but are now said to have peaked.

Severe weather warnings were cancelled for Sydney and the Illawarra last night.

Experts admitted most of Sydney had dodged the worst of the weather.

“Lucky we were spared the worst for the metropolitan area and the rains weren’t as heavy and as intense as had been forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology,” NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York told A Current Affair.

“But it’s been very active up around the Central Coast and this weather cell has been moving up into the Newcastle area.”

However, the mid-north coast is in the firing line for thunderstorms and heavy rain which could cause flash flooding.

They could hit Gloucester, Forster, Bulahdelah and Wingham today.