A massive rain bomb has struck Sydney, with 77.6mm falling in just one hour – closing the airport, sparking commuter chaos and prompting a warning for residents to stay indoors.
The severe thunderstorm came west over the Blue Mountains and hit the city about midday, bringing intense rainfall that has led to flash flooding, with the NSW SES issuing urgent warnings.
The SES specifically advised people in the following areas to stay indoors: Parramatta, Richmond, Liverpool, Brooklyn, Maroota, and Mona Vale.
The city’s Town Hall train station is also flooded, with video showing water pouring down the steps of one entrance.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned that the ‘very dangerous thunderstorm’ was likely to cause life-threatening flash flooding in parts of the Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas.
In Horsley Park, Western Sydney, 77.6mm of rain was recorded in just one hour.
Heavy rainfall is expected to continue throughout the day, making travel dangerous.
Traffic has been impacted by the storm, with significant flooding reported at Cecil Hills, with Elizabeth Drive underwater at Wallgrove Road on the M7.
The severe thunderstorm came west over the Blue Mountains and hit the city about midday
The city’s Town Hall train station is flooded, with video showing water pouring down the steps of one entrance
A massive rain bomb has struck Sydney , closing the airport and prompting a warning for residents to stay indoors
The heavy downpour and intense rainfall have led to flash flooding, with the NSW SES issuing urgent warnings
Two vehicles, including a van, are stuck in the floodwaters.
The M4 is also impacted in both directions, with slow-moving traffic from Homebush Bay Drive through to the Cumberland Highway.
Foxtel is down for residents across the city due to the storm, interrupting Super Bowl coverage for local fans.
Further thunderstorms could hit Sydney in the late afternoon and evening on Monday, and the Bureau of Meteorology is also predicting further, less severe storms on Tuesday.
Sydneysiders were also told to be mindful of damaging wind gusts, which could be above 90km/h on Monday, and the possibility of hail-stones bigger than two centimetres.
More to come…
