Wild weather sweeps NSW coastline

The state has endured several days of severe weather warnings as major flooding sweeps western and north-western Sydney.

Rainfall totals in the northern part of the state have reached higher than 900mm, with the Sydney Basin expected to receive up to another 150mm over the next two days.

Authorities have encouraged around 4000 people in the Hawkesbury-Nepean valley to evacuate in anticipation of two weather systems colliding later this week expected to bring even more rain.

Residents in the western parts of towns including Penrith, Jamisontown and Mulgoa were evacuated over the weekend in response to rising floodwaters.

Meanwhile, marine rescue services swung into action with beached and submerged boats, houseboats and even a sea plane needed assistance.

A cruiser that washed ashore at Sydney’s Balmoral Beach on Saturday could not be recovered until the tide rose.

Marine Rescue NSW said more than 30 volunteers and seven vessels from regional NSW – from as far away as Merimbula and the Alpine Lakes – were making their way to Sydney today to bolster flood support operations.

“The out-of-area crews and vessels will join their colleagues from MRNSW units in Sydney, ready to perform evacuations and other support operations as the flood emergency spreads across greater Sydney,” Marine Rescue NSW said.

MRNSW commissioner Stacey Tannos said crews would be deployed wherever they were needed, but “particularly in western Sydney on the Hawkesbury Nepean”.

“Many residents on the upper reaches of the Hawkesbury do not have any road access to their homes so if flooding worsens, they will have no avenue of escape other than the river,” Tannos said.

“Our volunteers will be ready to help in any way they are needed, whether that is evacuating residents, transporting medical or other supplies or providing logistical or other assistance to the SES, other emergency services or local authorities.”

Meanwhile, strong wind warnings persist for the Byron, Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans and Eden coasts today. A flood watch has extended as far south as the Victorian border.

The floods are also expected to impact NSW coastal waters south of the flooded areas as debris, including floating oyster beds, are washed out to sea and into the Eastern Australian Current.

Marine Rescue NSW has asked boaters to stay off rivers and inland streams until floodwaters have receded.