Torrential downpours and gales ravaged Sydney’s northern coastal enclaves, igniting flash floods and landslides that shattered the peace and sparked a frenzy of emergency responses. Saturday’s onslaught evolved into Sunday’s sustained crisis, with evacuations, rescues, and a tragic fatality marking the toll.
From Narrabeen Lagoon—19 km up from Sydney’s CBD—SES evacuation mandates hit at 11 pm Saturday amid surging floods that menaced homes across Northern Beaches.
Overnight and into Sunday, 25 individuals were freed from flood perils in New South Wales, operations thickest in Sydney. A landslide at secluded Great Mackerel Beach inflicted damage on three structures. Terry Hills weather station clocked 179.6 mm in 24 hours, obliterating December’s 46.6 mm benchmark.
Further devastation: 90 km south of central Sydney, a tree limb crushed a car pre-4 pm Saturday in brutal winds and rain. The driver, a woman, succumbed instantly; front passenger mildly injured, back two untouched.
New South Wales’ eastern seaboard buckled under the tempest, with northern Sydney swamped and airport delays mounting. Hundreds of pleas poured into SES, yielding four more watery rescues. Superintendent Matt Kirby told ABC no respite Sunday—heavy rain eyed for Sydney and its northern/southern neighbors.
He stressed: shun flood drives, park wisely against tree falls. Northern Sydney faces heavier barrages ahead, as responders dig in for this enduring weather war.