Major flooding possible in Hawkesbury-Nepean this weekend: BOM

The BOM has issued Flood Watch Number 2 - which provides early advice of possible flooding.

Heavy rainfall associated with a potential East Coast Low is forecast to develop through central parts of the NSW coast from the Hunter to the South Coast during the weekend and into early next week.

This heavy rain may cause minor to moderate flooding along parts of the Hunter, Central Coast, Greater Sydney and South Coast, while major flooding is possible in the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley over the weekend, according to BOM.

Rainfall is expected to intensify further in the new week and may cause additional river rises and flooding along the NSW coast.

Water storages are near capacity.

A Severe Weather Warning for Heavy Rainfall has been issued for the Metropolitan, Illawarra and parts of Central Tablelands Forecast Districts.

According to the BOM, South Windsor could receive 40 to 60mm of rain on Saturday, 90 to 150mm on Sunday, and 50 to 70mm on Monday.

The weather system is expected to cause flooding for the catchments listed from Saturday.

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

People gathered under Windsor Bridge to view the rising flood waters in March 2022. Picture: Sarah Falson

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 would be available from the Hawkesbury Council depot, Old Sackville Road, Wilberforce, from today (Friday). Bring your own shovel.