On Sunday, Sydney’s Warragamba Dam overflowed for the second time this month following heavy rainfall across New South Wales. WaterNSW confirmed the dam started spilling at 7:30 AM after widespread rain in the city’s catchments. The last overflow occurred on April 6, causing severe damage to nearby homes.
The State Emergency Service (SES) issued minor flood warnings for the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond and the Colo River, but major property impacts were not anticipated. An SES spokesperson noted that while low-lying roads might experience flooding, the situation would not be as severe as the previous incident.
In the 24 hours leading up to 9 AM on Sunday, Sydney saw rainfall exceeding 30mm, with Campbelltown recording 35.4mm and Observatory Hill 31.2mm.
SES responds to sinkholes and flooding; severe weather warnings remain active for regions.The heavy rain also caused a 10-meter-wide sinkhole to form on a residential street in Dover Heights on Saturday night. SES teams worked through the night to use sandbags and a retaining wall to prevent water damage to nearby homes, as the sinkhole presented significant hazards.
Throughout the state, SES volunteers responded to 273 incidents, including leaking roofs, fallen trees, and sandbagging. The south coast and Illawarra regions were particularly affected, with Moruya Airport recording 117.6mm of rain in 24 hours.
A severe weather warning remains in effect for the Illawarra, south coast, southern tablelands, and Snowy Mountains.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts 90mm to 110mm of rain, potentially reaching 140mm in some areas. The ongoing rain could lead to flash flooding, but conditions are expected to improve from Sunday evening into Monday.