Stormy Afternoon in Sydney Brings Heavy Rain and Flash Flooding

Torrential rain brought flash flooding to parts of Sydney, prompting emergency services to launch 19 rescue operations to help motorists trapped in their vehicles. The downpour was so sudden and intense that it caught many people off guard, with the rainwater rising quickly and causing widespread disruption.

Trains were among the services affected, with commuters told to delay their travel or consider alternative modes of transport after rail tracks became submerged in water. The cancellations and disruptions were particularly problematic during peak hour, causing congestion and frustration for those trying to get home.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Sydney, along with parts of the Hunter and Central Tablelands, due to the relentless rain. Camden Airport, in Sydney’s south-west, recorded a staggering 51mm of rainfall in just 30 minutes, with other areas such as Campbelltown and Parramatta experiencing significant falls.

The sheer intensity of the rain was startling, with Gabrielle Woodhouse, a meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, describing it as “intensive flash flooding” caused by a deluge of rain in a very short period. Woodhouse noted that some areas received an astonishing amount of rain, with Campbelltown recording 41.6mm in an hour, Parramatta getting 34mm in half an hour, and Sydney Observatory Hill receiving 50.4mm in an hour.

Since 9am, the rain has been falling in earnest, with the highest amounts recorded at Camden Airport, where the total rainfall reached 86mm. The emergency services were stretched to the limit, with rescues carried out at locations such as Warwick Farm, Merrylands, Guildford, and Auburn, with children among those rescued. Thankfully, there have been no reported injuries so far.

The service advised people not to drive into flash flooding, warning that those who do will likely get stuck and need assistance. As the rain begins to ease overnight, residents can expect showers and potentially thunderstorms on Tuesday, although the intensity is expected to be less severe than the previous day.

As the city grappled with the aftermath of the storm, locals took to social media to express their gratitude that no one was injured and their frustration at the disruption caused by the rain. The frequent flooding and heavy rain brought back memories of the devastating Auckland floods, with many Sydney residents expressing solidarity with those affected.