43.8mm of rainfall has fallen over Sydney Observatory Hill with 43.2mm further inland at Sydney Olympic Park as the beginning of a significant rain event impacts on the east coast of Australia. Other high totals since 9am include, Belrose 96mm, Mona Vale 70mm, Chatswood 68mm and Cronulla 68mm
Much of the heavier rain is currently falling south of Sydney with Point Perpendicular in the Illawarra region receiving 54.2mm since 9am and Montague Island on the South Coast receiving 87mm since 9am
Many roads in inner Sydney are already experiencing water over the roads with those more prone to flooding already beginning to close. Current road closures include:
• Oxford Falls – Oxford Falls Road between Wakehurst Parkway and Aroona Road
• Ku-Ring-Gai Chase – West Head Road from General San Martin Drive
• Narrabeen to Oxford Falls – Wakehurst Parkway
• Royal National Park – Audley Road at Audley Weir
• Macquarie Park – Lane Cove National Park – Riverside Drive between Delhi Road and Lane Cove Road
A severe weather warning is current for people in Sydney Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, parts of the Hunter, Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands Forecast District with over 100mm and more predicted in those locations tomorrow. Six hourly rainfall totals between 60 to 100mm are likely, reaching up to 140mm over coastal areas. With more heavy rain to follow on Friday and into Saturday.
A flood watch for NSW Central and Southern Coastal Rivers, and Macquarie and Queanbeyan Rivers is in place with several rivers systems including the Nepean-Hawkesbury expected to receive renewed flooding after multiple flooding events in March 2022.
