Stormy weather brought heavy rain and flooding to parts of New South Wales in Australia on 09 February 2023. Over 20 people had to be rescued.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology reported intense rainfall in several areas. Audley Royal National Park, situated about 35 km (22 miles) from Sydney recorded 74mm of rain in 1 hour. Bellambi, a suburb of Wollongong in the Illawarra region recorded 96mm in 1 hour. Shellharbour Airport in the Illawarra region recorded 73mm in 1 hour.
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) said teams responded to more than 500 calls for help as intense heavy rainfall lashed parts of the south coast, Illawarra and metropolitan Sydney areas. A number of roads were closed. Sydney Airport said due to storms in the vicinity of the airport, there are delays and diversions to some services.
SES said the Illawarra region was one of the hardest hit, with over 350 incidents and 21 rescues from flood water recorded.
NSW SES Southern Zone Deputy Commander Sharon Fox said, “Conditions right now are very hazardous – a number of schools have closed and school bus trips have been cancelled due to the weather.”
Deputy Commander Fox said the NSW SES and emergency partners had conducted a large number of flood rescues from vehicles and buildings and provided sandbagging assistance to a childcare centre.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology warned that further severe thunderstorms were likely to produce intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding and damaging winds in parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan and Central Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Gosford, Morisset, Wyong, The Entrance, Woy Woy and Kulnura.
Emergency services in the state reported two people died after being pulled from the water unconscious at Frazer Beach, Frazer Park on the Central Coast on 08 February. It is not clear if the fatalities were a result of the severe weather.
Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle
Meanwhile, BoM report that Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle is expected to intensify and move close to or over Norfolk Island in the South Pacific Ocean on 11 and 12 February. A Tropical Cyclone Watch has been declared for Norfolk Island.
