Sydney Metro Area | 20 Feb 2012
Overnight severe storms affected the Illawarra and particularly the Sydney Metropolitan area. Storms resulted in over 330 requests for assistance being received by the NSW SES. The majority of these were in the southern and western suburbs of Sydney.
The storms resulted in localised very heavy rain with 26mm in 10 minutes recorded at Peakhurst and 18mm in 10 minutes at Sydney airport. Terry Hills received 51mm in one hour. These high rainfall rates in many areas resulted in flash flooding, with the NSW SES undertaking flood rescues in a diverse range of suburbs including Taren Point, Sylvania, Darlington, Padstow Heights, Canada Bay, Gymea, Rosebery, Banksia, Mortdale Zetland and Alexandria. At one of these rescues at Zetland an SES volunteer with flood rescue training rescued 10 people trapped in their vehicles, with emergency services including the NSW SES and Police Rescue assisting a further 10 persons. The other rescues undertaken by the NSW SES were for people who were trapped in vehicles due to flash flooding.
There have been reports of trees and branches down as well as localised flash flooding threatening homes and reports of leaking roofs causing propewrty damage.
With further storms forecast for today the NSW SES is asking people in areas likely to experience storms to prepare by cleaning gutters, drains and downpipes, trimming overhanging trees and branches, securing or bringing inside loose items from yards and balconies and ensuring that their roof is in good repair.
If you need the assistance of the NSW SES call 132 500. If it is a life-threatening emergency call 000 immediately.
