Severe weather warnings for damaging winds and heavy rainfall in the Hunter and mid-north coast
Flash floods force dozens of rescues in two days
Newcastle sees its highest recorded January rainfalls ever – and its wettest January day
4.47am GMT
Up-to-date flood warnings in NSW https://t.co/l2sANXOPId pic.twitter.com/naTeIuwtUm
Those red peaks reflecting major flooding are at Paterson River at both Gostwyck Bridge (12.2m high) and Railway Bridge (9.5m), and Wollombi Brook at Bulga (4.7m).
4.30am GMT
BoM last updated its flood warning for the Hunter River just before 1pm, when it forecast “minor to moderate flooding”.
The lower Hunter River at Raymond Terrace is forecast to peak near 3.3m around 6pm today with moderate flooding.
Water is spilling onto the road from the #HunterRiver at #RaymondTerrace. #newyfloods pic.twitter.com/5ScwLLFdnr
No more wharf. Water is spilling onto the road from the #HunterRiver at #RaymondTerrace. #newyfloods pic.twitter.com/YTLniewjLF
Rainfall 2pm-3pm https://t.co/l2sANXOPId #sydneyrain pic.twitter.com/17Tc2WbC0j
4.14am GMT
Thanks Michael.
Photographer Marina Neil has been capturing the evacuations in Raymond Terrace.
More residents brought to high ground. #Raymondterrace #flood @newcastleherald @mmcgowan569 @NSWSES pic.twitter.com/IoaLTzH7Hw
Hunter Street residents in #RaymondTerrace rescued from their homes. Even the family cat. @newcastleherald pic.twitter.com/Oo5bMqHFaC
Swift water rescue in #raymondterrace #storm #newcastle @newcastleherald pic.twitter.com/sx6c1ZKHjN
#flooding in #raymondterrace residents evacuated from Hunter Street @newcastleherald @mmcgowan569 pic.twitter.com/LoRA2Um2V7
Residents evacuated from Hunter St #raymondterrace #storm #flood @mmcgowan569 @newcastleherald pic.twitter.com/I0fRAdTBb4
#RaymondTerrace evacuation centre, Snr Citizens Hall. 13+ ppl have been in today. A woman has pet ferrets with her. pic.twitter.com/legtIIRvfb
#RaymondTerrace resident Tracey: "We had 20mins to get out. Clothes & medication, that's all I thought to grab, & my charger for my phone."
#RaymondTerrace resident Tracey: "My photos, I put them up on top of my cupboard. I turned all the power points off." #newyfloods
#RaymondTerrace resident Tracey: "I've been at evac centre for 3hrs. Sitting there bored. We've got to find somewhere to stay tonight."
Raymond Terrace within the last hour. Pic: NSW SES Hunter. pic.twitter.com/ba6dU1Lnwh
The water views from our #RaymondTerrace office today... #HunterFloods pic.twitter.com/xZFgv6pUdp
#Flood now in several #RaymondTerrace streets. Firefighters helping evacuation. River set to peak @6pm. @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/V8Fmii2Ccl
3.48am GMT
Emergency crews are trying to reach a group of at least 21 campers who have become trapped by flood waters in southern NSW, AAP is reporting.
Bendethera Valley campground west of Moruya has been isolated by heavy rains and flooding with at least 16 adults and five children trapped at the site, an SES spokesman said.
3.19am GMT
Kathie Bowtell in Largs, also north of Maitland, has posted this video of the overflowing Hunter river.
@1233newcastle @Hammo46 Hunter river at #Largs now breached the upper bank but levy holding pic.twitter.com/5VE7mgxv7T
Wallis Lake wet and windy @1233newcastle #nswweather pic.twitter.com/hdOp6Mhfj8
Branch has taken down power line on Lakes Way near Boomerang Beach #nswweather @1233newcastle pic.twitter.com/P9OT2SqIes
Tree down on Coomba Rd in Coomba Park, mid north coast #nswweather @1233newcastle pic.twitter.com/PJGwjhCnE0
3.16am GMT
A dam breaks in Duns Creek, north of Maitland:
@1233newcastle Paddock near Duns Creek. Dam off to the right has now overflowed and turned into a torrent of water. pic.twitter.com/fWvdtvjh6D
2.55am GMT
My colleague Nick Evershed has created this handy visualisation to give you a sense of what’s happening in NSW this week — and how it compares to deluges past.
2.38am GMT
More than 25 people have been rescued and properties have been evacuated near Newcastle as downpours continue across NSW, AAP is reporting.
Here’s more:
Around 30 properties were evacuated in Raymond Terrace as floodwaters rise and SES warned people to avoid the area unless absolutely necessary.
Residents returned to homes in Dungog after evacuation notices were issued on Tuesday night to about 10 streets in the town in Hunter region of NSW.
2.21am GMT
2.20am GMT
Play abandoned at the SCG. #AUSvWI
Surprise, surprise – day four of the third Test has been washed out without a ball being bowled, reports AAP.
Cricket Australia have thrown the gates open for the fifth and final day. #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/f1aqsAvLBh
1.59am GMT
Evacuations are ongoing in Raymond Terrace.
SES about to start evacuating residents in low lying areas in Rymd Terrace. Evac order issues for 6 streets @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/eIMyRsH2p9
Rain bucketing down as Hunter River steadily rises in Raymond Terrace. @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/paaYgkgcVJ
Resident evacuate homes in #raymondterrace #flooding pic.twitter.com/K4HEbmqPrV
Evacuations underway at #RaymondTerrace as streets go under. #Flood and #rain latest on @7NewsSydney. #weather pic.twitter.com/xWT3e58A6d
#flooding in #raymondterrace port stephens st, emergency services evacuation homes. @newcastleherald pic.twitter.com/CZkyWmcgIy
Kellie Dahl wades through flood water at #raymondterrace #flood @newcastleherald pic.twitter.com/pmhmPeeQS0
1.57am GMT
Service NSW has announced that some services have been impacted in the Hunter and Central Coast regions due to the extreme weather.
Maitland, Gosford and Newcastle service centres are closing at 5pm and Wallsend is now staying open until 7pm.
@serviceNSW Maitland, Gosford & Newcastle service centres are closing at 5pm today. Wallsend is staying open until 7pm, rain eased off
1.52am GMT
In the 24 hours to 9am today –
108mm rain and counting during the Syd Test #AUSvWI. Nowhere near Aus vs Pak 3-8 Feb 1990 (476mm over duration). pic.twitter.com/0hYWOScXZu
Related: From drizzle to downpours: how NSW severe weather compares
1.50am GMT
The minister for emergency services, David Elliott, has urged motorists to avoid flood waters.
Elliott said since the beginning of the storm, the NSW SES had conducted 21 flood rescues, most of which were completely unnecessary.
1.43am GMT
BoM has reiterated that a severe weather warning remains in place for parts of the mid-north coast and Hunter regions – and that it’s expected to ease this evening
Acting NSW regional director, Stephen Lellyett, said the slow-moving low pressure system near Port Stephens was causing both “riverine and flash flooding”, with more than 250mm rainfall near Bulahdelah.
1.34am GMT
Josie Byrne in Wallsend says although the rain has eased slightly there, it shows no signs of letting up entirely.
“The canals are completely raging and have overflowed. There are shops closed and roads were closed through the night, but they are now open again.”
1.33am GMT
#Flood evacuations just ordered in #RaymondTerrace as Hunter River rises. 30 properties impacted. @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/xcQYGwtiLN
State emergency services have ordered the evacuation of six streets in Raymond Terrace, with residents of Hunter St, Glenelg St, Swan St, Port Stephens St, King St and Kangaroo St told to leave their homes immediately.
#RAYMONDTERRACE: Expected to reach 3.3m later this afternoon with moderate flooding.
Flooding in #raymondterrace @NSWSES @NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/3Sb7Z3pEjn
#RaymondTerrace resident Carl: "We've moved ride-on lawn mowers, whipper snippers, all the tools. Everything's on high ground." #newyfloods
#RaymondTerrace resident Carl: "We've moved the boat. It was floating on the trailer because it was waist deep in the backyard." #newyfloods
#Flood waters at #raymondterrace #hunterstorm @newcastleherald @smh pic.twitter.com/JDiZD0BeB6
#Floods: 22 people evacuated from their homes in #Dungog o'night as floods hit - 2nd time in 10 months. @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/7KHtOtPJaC
1.20am GMT
In Sydney, the conditions are inconvenient, rather than dangerous – so what’s social media good for, if not complaining about the weather?
#SYDNEYRAIN UPDATE: Still raining...☔️ pic.twitter.com/YFzrqduvn8
Hmmm, pretty sure this isn't what I was promised... #sydneyrain pic.twitter.com/IcqXfpUx3g
Great way to cool off after a run! Go away rain in #Sydney @runningchic @Raina_runs @RunnerBliss @runnersworld pic.twitter.com/OrkD62A833
1.13am GMT
As of 30 minutes ago, Wallsend Rd remained closed between Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Maitland Rd due to flooding.
Fire & Rescue NSW are currently helping people trapped by flood waters.
At turn off from Wallsend, Minmi Rd to Maryland: don't try to head through this please pic.twitter.com/rycRIK4B1b
12.52am GMT
Approximately 21 people are isolated by flood waters at the Bendethera camping area of the Deua national park, 320km south of Sydney.
In an update to Facebook posted just after 11am, Ashley Sullivan, an incident controller with the Illawarra south coast region, said the NSW SES was notified of their situation by family members on Tuesday, but attempts to reach them had so far been unsuccessful.
12.43am GMT
Back in inner-city Sydney, wet weather can bring out the best in people.
A man ran down the street to give me his large, very nice Umbrella as I was walking home in heavy rain. Faith in humanity restored
Faith restored in humanity just now when I was walking along the street getting absolutely destroyed by rain and a man pulled up next to me and handed me an umbrella out the window. Legend!
Gotta love it on public transport when folks think it's ok to put their wet umbrella on the seat #sheesh #Sydney ☔️☔️☔️
Me: *ducks your umbrella pointed at my eyes* You: DERP!! This is Sydney every time it rains
People who text/watch vids while walking in the rain with an umbrella on a crowded street, Darwinism is coming for you.
A couple of weeks ago I bought an expensive umbrella and then silently whinged I didn't get to use it. So my apologies.
12.34am GMT
The maritime rescue boat that was sinking in the Newcastle suburb of Carrington has been righted by a crane.
Even Marine Rescue boats aren't coping with heavy rain. This one sinking in Newcastle. @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/3HRnZq5LM9
Maritime Services boat righted by a crane at Carrington. @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/Y15K8uQVR0
12.33am GMT
The runway at Newcastle Airport is expected to reopen at midday, though travellers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline as some flights remain cancelled.
Update 11am: The runway at Newcastle Airport will be reopened at midday today. Please check with you airline re the status of your flight.
Houses on Union Street @ Cooks Hill had flood water over front steps. A bin on its side almost completely submerged pic.twitter.com/TsKAMbrxtn
Netball courts flooded @ National Park. pic.twitter.com/zyk1thKEl8
I've never seen National Park as flooded as this. Anyone have a kayak? pic.twitter.com/U200XTKSlc
National Park @ Cooks Hill has become a lake so naturally local surfers were keen to give it a crack pic.twitter.com/VpSjCUqJ5e
The view from Gillieston Heights towards East Maitland. Not as much water as last April thankfully! @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/39pfL07lcX
12.23am GMT
My colleague Helen Davidson has filed this from Darwin:
In the north of the country, flood waters are beginning to slowly recede at Daly River, but its 500 residents will remain at the makeshift evacuation centre at Darwin showgrounds.
The flood peaked at the “major” level of 14.7m, inundating the Northern Territory community, also know as Nauiyu, over Christmas. Residents were evacuated by helicopter and bus. Pets were also airlifted out some days later, after reports crocodiles had come into town with the flood waters and taken at least two dogs.
12.16am GMT
Acting NSW premier Troy Grant has reminded motorists to steer clear of flood waters.
My thoughts are with all residents and evacuees in coastal NSW right now. Stay safe in this wild weather and don't drive in flood waters.
Flooded roads like this can b seen all around Newcastle. This 1 in the Raymond Terrace area @abcnews @1233newcastle pic.twitter.com/abyrPUdVji
Police & RFS working out a plan of attack in evacuation warning area in Raymond Terrace @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/va6XJTzlRY
Evac warning 4 Hunter St, Glenelg St, Swan St, Port Stephens St, King St & Kangaroo St in Raymond Terrace @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/sFtrBRkQjq
Flood water inundating several homes in Raymond Terrace @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/6XrRjaRieu
Not ideal when you're trying to sell your house! This near Tomago @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/eQalItMc80
12.12am GMT
BoM has issued a new severe weather warning for the Hunt and mid-north coast regions of NSW.
It forecasts ongoing heavy rain and flash-flooding for eastern parts of the Hunter region, extending to southern parts of the mid-north coast.
As you can see from BoM's 11am update, the affected area is quite specific https://t.co/zExLDgJAIh #sydneyrain pic.twitter.com/ckPzOE1zg4
12.04am GMT
Bogging: yet another reason why, if you can help it, you ought to stay off roads around the NSW central and mid-north coasts today.
Police say four tourists were rescued on Tuesday from a bush track in the Olney State Forest on the Central Coast after their vehicle became stuck in mud. Here’s more:
The men, believed to be from Germany, contacted Triple Zero (000) about 4.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 5 January 2016), after they realised their 4WD was irretrievably stuck in mud in the Olney State Forest, following heavy rain in the area.
Members of the Central Coast Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) began searching for the men and, about 11pm, found the group on a track known as Lemon Tree Road.
12.01am GMT
It’s a record, according to the BoM. The last three days Newcastle has seen its highest recorded January rainfalls ever – and its wettest January day, though the tweet doesn’t say which day exactly that was.
In the 72 hours to 9am Wed, Newcastle recorded its wettest 3-day rainfall total for Jan (273mm) and wettest Jan day (201 mm).
11.54pm GMT
Nothing is landing at or leaving Newcastle airport for the time being – flood waters on the runway mean air traffic has ground to a halt.
#Newcastle Airport terminal open but no flights in or out at the moment. Runway flooded. via @katehaberfield pic.twitter.com/30dstd5dbg
#NSW Predicted heights: Bulga 5.1m, Maitland-Belmore Bridge 7m with minor flooding; Raymond Terrace 3.3m with moderate flooding
11.36pm GMT
Here’s a friendly warning from the NSW police about not driving through flood water under any circumstances. A gentleman in Seymour, Victoria sadly lost his life trying to cross a flooded bridge on Monday.
Police would like to remind the community to never drive, ride or walk through flood waters. It is extremely dangerous as fast-moving undercurrents can quickly wash people and vehicles away.
If you must drive, please follow these simple tips to help keep you safe on the road:
11.23pm GMT
#NSW Evacuation warning issued by @NSWSES for Raymond Terrace - Hunter St, Glenelg St, Swan St, Port Stephens St, King St & Kangaroo St
If you live in any of these streets in Raymond Terrace, it’s time to evacuate.
#NSW Minor flood warning for Upper Wyong River and Tuggerah Lake https://t.co/lG3w9KSEmi pic.twitter.com/gYGLuuG6Hj
11.18pm GMT
Briefly taking over weatherman duties here – tweet at me with your rain-based content at @safimichael, or let me know what’s happening in the comments below.
The Hunter Valley is one of the country’s premier wine regions, and summer is harvest time. What does the last week’s inclement weather mean for this year’s drop? Nothing good, says Mark from McWilliams Mount Pleasant Winery, which specialises in pinot noirs.
11.00pm GMT
BoM’s rainfall and river conditions interactive, able to be toggled by rainfalls since 9am, in the past hour and over 24 hours, provides an at-a-glance view of the weather battering the NSW coast.
Rainfall in 24hrs to 9am Wednesday. The red dots = 100mm+; orange 50-99mm; green 25-49mm https://t.co/l2sANXOPId pic.twitter.com/xHIn5PRA6n
10.51pm GMT
Ausgrid has reminded residents of the Hunter and Central Coast regions to be prepared for power cuts in the heavy rain and wind. You can keep up with updates on Ausgrid’s website.
Heavy rain & winds forecast for Hunter & Central Coast. If power goes out check 4 details at https://t.co/bZtdLPAN1j pic.twitter.com/3maae4pZYe
10.49pm GMT
Today’s severe weather coincides with the release of BoM’s annual climate statement for 2015 – Australia’s fifth-warmest year on record, with national rainfall slightly below average.
BoM’s key findings are below, but you can read more here.
10.46pm GMT
Commercial weather website Weatherzone reports that heavy rain has reached record levels in Newcastle, one of the regions most affected by the low-pressure system.
Hunter flood threat increasing as Newcastle area receives heaviest rain in 25 years, about 300mm https://t.co/Le2schGSdl
Even Marine Rescue boats aren't coping with heavy rain. This one sinking in Newcastle. @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/3HRnZq5LM9
Low has stalled and sitting off Newcastle coast rain to continue this morning over suburbs. 200+ Wallsend @nbnnews. pic.twitter.com/UmQ0P16q64
At least Lacey is enjoying the torrential rain anyway! #dogs #Newcastle pic.twitter.com/2MmXx4mk7z
10.38pm GMT
Rain has been falling fairly consistently in Sydney since Sunday, though BoM seems to be continuing to forecast a “90%” chance of rainfall. It’s expected to ease to showers by the evening.
The southerly wind is new today and reaching speeds of between 25 and 40 km/h.
Doesn't look much like summer in #Sydney with all this rain ⛱⛱⛱ https://t.co/peQ1OduF15 pic.twitter.com/QbV6SQ3mSO
Rain expected for much of #NSW today. If you're on the road, please slow down and never drive through flood waters. pic.twitter.com/HRsLVrfHLU
10.31pm GMT
Though the severe weather warnings are restricted to New South Wales, BoM has issued major flood warnings for the Flinders, Norman and Bulloo rivers in Queensland.
Moderate warnings also apply to the Barcoo River and Cooper Creek; Georgina River and Eyre Creek; and the Paroo River.
10.22pm GMT
Flash flooding in NSW has resulted in 21 rescues in two days as drivers continue to ignore warnings from emergency services, reports AAP.
State Emergency Services say nine people were rescued on Tuesday night; most had got stuck driving through flood waters that were deeper than they first appeared.
10.16pm GMT
Welcome to our liveblog of the severe weather battering parts of NSW.
Roads have turned to rivers across coastal parts of the state, forcing the rescue of dozens of motorists since Tuesday, while areas of the Pacific Highway remain closed.
Continue reading...