Hello from beautiful, sunny Sydney, where the morning’s rainfall managed to drop the equivalent of November’s average monthly rainfall in just two hours. The torrential rain has managed to flood roads, bridges and houses, and has shut down much of Sydney’s public transport network. Here’s what the rain has done to Sydney and its surrounds.
While Sydney isn’t as flood-prone as some of Australia’s other major cities (looking at you, Brisbane), it’s really not equipped for any large amount of rainfall, either.
The rainfall has been heaviest in central and northern Sydney, where as much as 118mm of rain have been recorded. The average monthly rainfall for November in Sydney is just 83.6mm.
#SydneyStorm Sydney cops a dumping this morning. Look at these rainfall totals to 9am, mostly falling in a couple of hours. 106mm at our Observatory Hills weather station in the CBD https://t.co/r5y8pc0fS0 pic.twitter.com/bklsvULe18
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) November 27, 2018
As with past floods, the rain has inundated train stations and roads, impacting Sydney’s already somewhat shaky public transport network:
In some places station tunnels and walkways were completely flooded, causing people to take their shoes and socks off to wade through calf-deep water.
https://twitter.com/SilverPeppa/status/1067537943093342208
St James this morning #sydneyweather #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/fQWgR1wZgb
— MandaLou (@Manda1077) November 27, 2018
Our reporter @jameslemon – who was earlier stranded at Central waiting for the light rail – captured this crazy photo of water pouring out of the walls of Woolworths near Town Hall Station. All the latest #SydneyStorm updates: https://t.co/vPZMJref8h pic.twitter.com/0XVCmulmTk
— The Sydney Morning Herald (@smh) November 27, 2018
Oh cool #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/4SfSldqzHx
— Rae Johnston (she/her) (@raejohnston) November 27, 2018
In other places, roads and parks are barely visible under the water.
Happy Humpday! 🐪When it rains it pours in Sydney 😅 #SydneyStorm #Sydneyweather pic.twitter.com/Is9tICrizY
— Xref (@xref) November 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/SallyOD/status/1067537450111688704
Victoria Park flooded. Almost over into Broadway. #extremeweather #sydneyrain #sydney pic.twitter.com/fjuz6ySqDa
— Nic Seton (@NicSeton) November 27, 2018
My gf is currently trying to swim to work…
This is near the Fish Markets in Glebe 😲 #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/0fMcGzKhIW
— Edwin Smith (@edwin_smith1) November 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/AdamMarsters/status/1067511333057253376
In some cases, the flooding has majorly affected residences and businesses:
Despite the SES’s sage advice not to drive through floodwaters, there are plenty of videos on Twitter of people driving through floodwaters.
Unless you have a boat 🚣♂️ I’d avoid Botany Road! #TrafficAlert #sydneyweather #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/ZIak3hAqNE
— Michelle Taupau (@MichelleTaupau) November 27, 2018
Holy cow this was the last of four flooded areas we passed through on our way to the #Sydney airport this morning! #sydneyweather pic.twitter.com/0gVT0uGyRN
— MonicaRicci (@MonicaRicci) November 27, 2018
Remember, if it’s flooded… forget it. ☔
Photos from Lane Cove Road, Macquarie Park between Waterloo and Talavera Road earlier this morning. #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/qbgNlIlPX6
— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) November 28, 2018
#FRNSW firefighters had to negotiate flooded roads while responding to an alarm in Artarmon this morning. Take care if you’re travelling today and don’t enter floodwater. Like the @NSWSES says – if it’s flooded, forget it! pic.twitter.com/F7TWNTmRKz
— Fire and Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) November 27, 2018
This is a perfect example of what not to do. Turn around don’t drown.
If it’s flooded, forget it! #SydneyStorm #BigWetWednesday https://t.co/eROoJGZHtZ
— NSW SES (@NSWSES) November 27, 2018
When it’s flooding but you still in a rush #SydneyStorm #sydneyweather pic.twitter.com/zXQOkjn5TV
— Jess Chandra (@jesschandra) November 27, 2018
Already multiple rescues have had to be made as cars have become stuck in floodwaters. One involved injuries to two police officers involved in the rescue due to a falling tree.
Two police officers have been injured while assisting motorists on a flooded road in Sydney’s north today. https://t.co/Dq181xGzQx
— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) November 27, 2018
NSW SES has received 6 FLOOD Rescue requests.
Locations: Marrickville, 2x West Pimble, West Ryde, Silverwater and Macquarie Park.
Do not enter #floodwater, major cause of death during floods is by people entering floodwater. Find an alternate route and avoid unnecessary travel. pic.twitter.com/v1rgckNgtA
— NSW SES (@NSWSES) November 27, 2018
And if that wasn’t enough, power outages have hit across Sydney due to downed powerlines and flooded infrastructure.
Eatern valley way blocked by trees and power lines across road #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/g1NffQqHp4
— Erik (@ewsteen) November 27, 2018
STORM UPDATE: The storms have caused significant damage to parts of our network. We are working to restore power to 6,600 customers across Sydney. This is McCabe Place in Chatswood where a falling tree has snapped a pole and brought powerlines down. Never approach fallen wires. pic.twitter.com/ioahAY4HiZ
— Ausgrid (@Ausgrid) November 28, 2018
These are the numbers to call if you see downed lines in your area:
Our network operators have a tough job out there today in this wild weather. If you see any power hazards stay well away and call: @Ausgrid 1313 88 – Sydney@Endeavourenergy 131 003 – Greater West Sydney, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, Illawarra, South Coast
Stay Safe!— Don Harwin (@Don_Harwin) November 27, 2018
While Sydney airport hasn’t wholly closed, they have warned that flights may be delayed and cancelled from both domestic and international terminals.
⚠We are currently experiencing flight delays and cancellations in Domestic and International terminals. Please contact your airline for updated flight information before travelling to Sydney Airport.
— Sydney Airport (@SydneyAirport) November 27, 2018
If you have flights to catch to or from Sydney today, keep up with the latest from your airline and the airport.
So remember: if you’re in Sydney today, try and find somewhere dry and warm for the day, and avoid travelling if you can. Don’t drive or walk through floodwaters, and be prepared to be at the mercy of the weather if you try to catch public transport.
Wildlife rescue service WIRES also released some advice on what we can do to help wildlife that may be suffering from the storms as much as we are:
After the storm some birds may be waterlogged and unable to fly. Find out how you can help https://t.co/LXu75KcKnG #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/NVDq6jmneL
— WIRES (@WIRESWildlife) November 28, 2018
Stay safe out there!
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