BOM issues Flood Watch for Hawkesbury, Colo and Macdonald Rivers

"Heavy rainfall is forecast to develop through central parts of the NSW coast from the Illawarra to southern parts of the Mid North Coast during Saturday. The heavy rain may cause minor to moderate flooding and is expected to intensify further in the new week with major flooding possible," the BOM website states.

"Whilst heavy rainfall is expected for several days from Saturday through to Tuesday it is difficult to predict with precision the timing and location of the heaviest rainfall and flood impacts, as the trough system expected to produce the heavy rainfall has not yet formed.

"Water storages are near capacity.

"The weather system is expected to cause flooding for the catchments listed from later Saturday. Flood Classes (minor, moderate, major) are only defined for catchments where the Bureau provides a flood warning service."

The local catchments listed on the BOM website are:

Hawkesbury and Lower Nepean Rivers - minor to major flooding
Colo River - minor to major flooding
Macdonald River.

Rain this weekend and into next week is expected to cause flooding around the Hawkesbury. This localised flooding in the Richmond Lowlands was photographed in March 2022. Picture: Sarah Falson

NSW SES Hawkesbury Unit stated on its Facebook page that Macdonald River could expect local flooding per recent events.

NSW SES Hawkesbury Unit advised residents to "get ready". They stated the following:

Residents in areas previously isolated should take the opportunity NOW to ensure you have ample supplies in case of isolation. This includes:

Food stuffs and beverages
Medicines
Fodder and stock feed
Fuel for your generator(s).

What you need to do:

Residents and businesses, in low-lying areas along these river systems and adjoining creeks, should prepare for the possibility of flooding
Pumps and farm equipment should be relocated to higher ground
Horses and livestock should be relocated to higher ground that will not become an island if flood heights increase
Residents in low-lying areas likely to be flooded should make plans to leave when advised to do so. Ensure you take pets and valuables with you.

For assistance:

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500.
In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.

For more information:

Listen to your local ABC radio station
Follow NSW SES Hawkesbury Unit on Facebook or NSWSES at www.ses.nsw.gov.au
Go to latest Weather and Warnings at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/
For the latest Rainfall and River heights visit http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/greatersydney.shtml
For road closures visit Road Closures at www.livetraffic.com.au or Hawkesbury City Council Disaster and Emergency Dashboard at https://disaster.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au

NSW SES Hawkesbury Unit stated that sand and empty sand bags will be available from the Hawkesbury Council depot, Old Sackville Road, Wilberforce, from tomorrow (Friday). Bring your own shovel.