SES flood rescue team members inspect floodwaters flowing over the New Windsor Bridge at Windsor in north western Sydney on 23 March, 2021.

SES flood rescue team members inspect floodwaters flowing over the New Windsor Bridge at Windsor in north western Sydney on 23 March, 2021. Source: AAP

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RECAP: 'Dangerous' NSW flood risk to continue, even with blue skies on the horizon

Some 18,000 NSW residents have already been evacuated from their homes to escape rising floodwaters, while another 15,000 have been put on high alert as two "catastrophic" weather fronts roll across the state.

SES flood rescue team members inspect floodwaters flowing over the New Windsor Bridge at Windsor in north western Sydney on 23 March, 2021.

SES flood rescue team members inspect floodwaters flowing over the New Windsor Bridge at Windsor in north western Sydney on 23 March, 2021. Source: AAP

Published 23 March 2021 9:57am
Updated 23 March 2021 5:58pm
Source: SBS

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23 Mar 2021 10:41am
Major flooding along the Colo River a 'particular concern'
Speaking alongside the NSW premier, SES Commissioner Carlene York said the state is facing "two significant weather fronts". 

"So over the last few days, we have had the weather front that is on the eastern coast and the Sydney area - those rains are expected to be significant today again so we are watching the river levels and making sure we are able to respond to those calls for assistance from the community," Ms York said. 

She said the Colo River is of "particular concern" this morning, with a new evacuation order along the river affecting around 200 homes. 

"Access is very difficult [in those] remote areas, so we will have rescue boats and helicopters going in to assist those people, so I ask those people in the area to prepare for that evacuation." 

Here's the latest evacuation order for residents along the Colo River area. 

23 Mar 2021 10:27am
Another 15,000 evacuations expected today, Gladys Berejiklian says
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian spoke with reporters earlier this morning and said some weather conditions had worsened overnight. 

She said another 15,000 people in flood-affected areas may need to evacuate today. 

"We advised yesterday about 18,000 people have been evacuated and regrettably we now have warnings for an additional 15,000 people that may need to be evacuated," the premier said. 

She said the areas of most concern today are around the Hawkesbury River, and in the Northern Rivers region, including Grafton. The NSW South Coast is also expected to cop heavy rainfall, she said. 

"Now, whilst weather conditions may ease up tomorrow, today we will experience heavy rainfall. So ... a strong warning we need to give people is please continue to be patient, because we envisage that even when the rain stops and some of these coastal communities, the rivers will keep rising."

The premier conceded the state may be yet to see the worst of this weather event. 

"We're not through the worst of it potentially and that's why we need to brace ourselves," she said.

"We have no illusions about how difficult the next few weeks and months will be."

 

 

 

23 Mar 2021 10:16am
Good morning
Good morning, and thanks again for joining us. 

Here’s the situation on Tuesday morning, as heavy rainfall and flooding continuing to affect swathes of NSW and other mainland states. 

The NSW South Coast is due to cop a drenching and will get some of the heaviest falls today, with areas of western Sydney also remaining a concern. 

The NSW SES conducted 870 flood rescues overnight and received 9,700 calls for help as major flooding occurred along the Colo River in the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment. 

Residents last night in several suburbs throughout Sydney’s north-west were told to prepare to evacuate amid the rising floodwaters, on top of the 18,000 previous evacuations. 

Evacuation warnings were issued for low-lying properties in North Richmond and Agnes Banks, along with a warning for moderate flooding along the Nepean River at Penrith with further rises possible. Flood waters are also expected to affect the Upper Nepean River at Menangle Bridge.

Major flooding is occurring at Wollombi in the Hunter Valley, while moderate flooding is still plaguing Taree and Gloucester.

READ MORE

More evacuation warnings issued in NSW amid heavy rainfall and record-breaking flooding



Evacuation warnings remain in place for Kempsey on the Mid North Coast, while areas of south-east Queensland, including the Gold Coast, received 100mm overnight. 

Inland, the Macquarie River levels have peaked at Bathurst, with minor flooding continuing.

Weather warnings are also in place for the Australian Capital Territory, Northern territory, South Australia and Victoria.  

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