Sydney drenched as storm dumps over a month’s rain in 24 hours; one child killed, hikers rescued

A powerful low-pressure system moving across New South Wales dumped more than a month’s worth of rain over much of Sydney in a 24-hour period, triggering flash flooding, dangerous surf and multiple rescues as emergency services responded to hundreds of calls.

A young girl died when an SUV plunged into a dam in Tenterfield on Wednesday afternoon and three hikers were pulled from rising floodwaters at Wattamolla in the Royal National Park, authorities said. The system, which began crossing the coastline between Nowra and Batemans Bay about 5 a.m. Thursday, also generated at least two tornadoes, including one reported near Young on the South Western Slopes.

New South Wales State Emergency Service (SES) figures showed a surge in calls during the night. In the 24 hours to Thursday morning the SES received 854 calls for assistance, including 34 rescue requests from metropolitan and southeastern regions. SES State Duty Commander Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey warned residents that flash flooding can occur quickly and urged motorists not to drive through floodwaters.

“Flash flooding can occur quickly and without warning. We implore motorists to never drive, walk or ride through floodwaters – if you come across a flooded road, turn around and find an alternative route,” Storey said.

The heaviest falls overnight were along the Illawarra Coast, where totals between 120 millimeters and 150 millimeters were recorded in the 24 hours to 10 a.m. Thursday. Sydney’s central business district recorded nearly 100 millimeters of rain from 9 a.m. Wednesday to Thursday morning, about 30 millimeters more than the city’s typical rainfall for the entire month of September.

The intense rain caused numerous minor flooding incidents across Sydney on Wednesday night and into Thursday, inundating main roads in eastern suburbs. Images and video from the city showed water reaching car boots on Anzac Parade at Randwick and commuters on a 333 bus to Bondi Beach sitting with water on the floor. One entrance to the Sydney Cricket Ground and the Entertainment Quarter was closed as drivers struggled for traction in deep water at Moore Park.

The crash in Tenterfield occurred about 3 p.m. on Wednesday when an SUV carrying a 50-year-old woman and an 11-year-old girl hit a tree before plunging into a dam. Emergency crews pulled the girl from the water unresponsive; she was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, a 50-year-old woman, was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

SES released footage of rescuers pulling three hikers from rising floodwaters at Wattamolla in the Royal National Park. The footage showed crews working in fast-moving water as they helped the group to safety.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Angus Hines said the low-pressure system could intensify as it approached the coastline. “Those low-pressure areas can tighten up and intensify when they move away from the coast and there’s nothing in their path to impede it,” he said. The bureau expected the system to begin tracking northeast over the Tasman Sea during Thursday.

A series of warnings remained in force across the state, including severe weather warnings for flash flooding, damaging winds and hazardous surf. Minor flood warnings were current for the Nepean River, Georges River, Namoi River, Cooks River, the Macquarie River to Bathurst and St Georges Basin. Hazardous surf warnings applied to the Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra and Batemans coasts, with many expected to remain into Friday.

Strong marine wind warnings covered the entire New South Wales coastline, and gale warnings were in effect for the Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra coasts. Forecasts indicated rain was expected to ease in Sydney by Thursday evening, with drier, sunnier conditions anticipated over the weekend for the city, while showers and windy conditions were likely for parts of the southeast.

Emergency services continued to monitor river levels and coastal conditions and advised residents in affected communities to stay informed through official channels and follow any local evacuation or safety directions. The SES reiterated that motorists should find alternate routes rather than attempting to drive through floodwater, a leading cause of flood-related incidents in the state.