This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/21/nsw-weather-sydney-rainfall-flood-flooding-warnings

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
NSW battles heavy rain and flooding as Sydney experiences wettest August for ‘quite some time’ NSW weather: heavy rain and flooding as Sydney records wettest day of the year
(about 2 hours later)
Weather warnings stretch from south of Sydney to the state’s north-west, as elevated river levels, saturated soils and full dams pose risks to communities Weather and flood warnings stretch from south of Sydney to the state’s north-west, as elevated river levels, full dams and more rainfall pose risks to communities
Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
Hundreds of New South Wales residents have made calls for help as heavy rain lashes the state, leaving huge swathes at risk of flooding, with authorities warning of more heavy rain to come. Hundreds of New South Wales residents have made calls for help as heavy rainfall lashes the state, leaving huge swathes at risk of flooding, as Sydney experienced its wettest day of the year to date.
Sydney, which has been drenched by torrential rains and was hit by more wet weather on Thursday, recorded its wettest August for “quite some time”, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Rescuers are also searching for two men missing after a car entered a river 20km north of Wisemans Ferry, on Sydney’s northern outskirts.
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) had more than 30 warnings, including several “watch and act” alerts, in place for areas stretching from south of Sydney up to the Central Coast, the north coast, the New England region and the state’s north-west. Sydney Observatory Hill recorded 82mm in the 24 hours up to Thursday morning, more than the entire monthly average rainfall for August in a day, according to Weatherzone.
The weather forecast service also said it was the city’s wettest day of the year – and wettest August day since 2007.
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) had more than 30 warnings, including several “watch and act” alerts, in place for areas stretching from Sydney’s south up to the Central Coast, north coast, New England region and state’s north-west.
Sign up: AU Breaking News emailSign up: AU Breaking News email
Debbie Platz, the deputy commissioner of NSW SES, told the ABC the weather system was “very widespread” and had caused “significant” rain both on the NSW east coast and inland. The SES has responded to 430 incidents over the past 24 hours. Debbie Platz, the deputy commissioner of NSW SES, said in an update on Thursday afternoon that the system was affecting “most of the east coast of NSW and into the north-west area of the state”.
“We are starting now to see road closures across many parts of NSW, and these road closures are going to cause isolation to many communities,” she said. Flooding or adverse weather has caused hundreds of road incidents, according to the NSW government’s Live Traffic website.
The SES has responded to more than 500 incidents over the past 24 hours, including five flood rescues. A man was rescued at Douglas Park, south-west of Sydney, at about 6.30am in a multi-agency rescue, the NSW Rural Fire Service said in a social media post.
Platz said the man had been driving his van through floodwaters when water reached the headlights of his vehicle.
The SES has warned of the risk of flash flooding with already elevated river levels, saturated soils and full dams from other recent significant rainfall.The SES has warned of the risk of flash flooding with already elevated river levels, saturated soils and full dams from other recent significant rainfall.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Helen Reid said the mid-north coast could receive isolated rainfall of up to 150mm on Thursday, with totals as high as 100mm in the northern rivers and 70mm in coastal Sydney. Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) hazard preparedness manager Steve Bernasconi said widespread, moderate rain and isolated thunderstorms would continue until 9am on Friday morning.
“The good news … is that the higher forecast totals that were forecast [on Wednesday] didn’t generally eventuate. There were a few exceptions, [including] Port Macquarie around Lake Cathie with 150 mm.”
BoM senior meteorologist Helen Reid said the mid-north coast could receive isolated rainfall of up to 150mm on Thursday, with totals as high as 100mm in the northern rivers and 70mm in coastal Sydney.
“[There are] plenty of rivers on the rise, so just keep an eye on them,” she said.“[There are] plenty of rivers on the rise, so just keep an eye on them,” she said.
Sydney Observatory Hill recorded 82mm in the 24 hours up to Thursday morning, while eastern parts of the city recorded between 60-70mm, and western Sydney 30-40mm.
Reid said persistent rainfall was forecast to peak on Thursday and would ease into the evening and Friday morning, with totals closer to 5-10mm in parts of coastal NSW.
Reid said although the month was not done, it appeared to be “the wettest one for quite some time”.Reid said although the month was not done, it appeared to be “the wettest one for quite some time”.
Reid said a coastal trough was “teaming up with a [section] of the upper atmosphere that is a little bit cooler and unstable, and that’s really over central northern New South Wales at the moment”.
“That combination is helping a lot of moisture that’s fed in from tropical regions give us consistent rainfall across a broad area.”
A “watch and act” warning was in place for Goangra in the state’s north, where heavy rain was forecast to bring the risk of renewed moderate to major flooding.
Sign up to Breaking News AustraliaSign up to Breaking News Australia
Get the most important news as it breaksGet the most important news as it breaks
after newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotion
The BoM issued a major flood warning for the Namoi River, while minor flood warnings were in place across the Peel and Nepean rivers and the Barwon River on the Queensland border. Reid said a coastal trough was “teaming up with a [section] of the upper atmosphere that is a little bit cooler and unstable, and that’s really over central northern New South Wales at the moment”.
“That combination is helping a lot of moisture that’s fed in from tropical regions give us consistent rainfall across a broad area.”
The BoM issued a major flood warning for the Namoi River, and a moderate flood warning for the Peel River, while minor flood warnings were in place for the Nepean River and the Barwon River on the Queensland border.
NSW police said divers would assist with the search for two men who were missing after a car entered a river 20km north of Wisemans Ferry, on Sydney’s northern outskirts.NSW police said divers would assist with the search for two men who were missing after a car entered a river 20km north of Wisemans Ferry, on Sydney’s northern outskirts.
Police were called to the Macdonald River at St Albans at about 11.50pm on Wednesday, where they found the car had crashed into the river.Police were called to the Macdonald River at St Albans at about 11.50pm on Wednesday, where they found the car had crashed into the river.
One passenger, a man in his 20s, was able to exit the vehicle, but two men were unaccounted for.One passenger, a man in his 20s, was able to exit the vehicle, but two men were unaccounted for.
Inspector Claudette Gebrael from Hawkesbury Police Area Command said police believed the trio were a father and two sons.Inspector Claudette Gebrael from Hawkesbury Police Area Command said police believed the trio were a father and two sons.
Assistant commissioner Colin Malone said residents should know the risk to their properties and start preparing their homes by clearing gutters and downpipes, trimming trees and tying down loose items. The increased flood risk follows several major rainfall events this year, including floods in May which devastated the mid-north coast and Hunter Valley, claiming the lives of five people. On Thursday, the NSW and federal governments announced a $50 million housing support package for those impacted by the May floods.
“We know the weather and flooding this year has been tiring for many of you, but please, stay ready and stay safe,” he said, adding people should never drive through flood waters.