Stunning photos show Sydney’s Parramatta River breaking its banks and threatening waterside homes after the city was battered by wild weather
- Photos have shown Sydney’s Parramatta River’s transformation during storm
- Parkland on either side of major river in city’s west no longer visible on Saturday
- Ferry terminal on Parramatta River completely flooded, with services cancelled
- Locals are in disbelief at the sheer volume of rain, which has been unrelenting
- BOM experts predicting winds averaging 70km/h with gusts exceeding 90km/h
Incredible before-and-after photos have shown how Sydney’s Parramatta River has broken its banks as the city is lashed by a once-in-a-century weather event.
The boat jetty and parkland on either side of the major river in the city’s west were no longer visible on Saturday after the river spilled over between Charles Street weir and the ferry wharf.
The ferry terminal on the river has completely flooded – with services to and from the area cancelled indefinitely until the once-in-100 year weather event is over.
Across other parts of NSW, the forecast rainfall is up to 300mm in the lower Blue Mountains over the next 24 hours and 400mm is predicted for the mid-north coast.
Sydney’s Parramatta River has breached its banks on either side on Saturday – flooding neighbouring parkland
The Parramatta River on a normal day. The river has spilled over between Charles Street weir and the ferry wharf
Incredible scenes at the Parramatta ferry terminal, with all services cancelled indefinitely
The Parramatta River seen breaking its banks on Saturday in unrelenting wet weather
Definitely no ferries for commuters on Saturday, with more rain forecast across the state of NSW
The swollen Parramatta River in Sydney’s west following an avalanche of rain on Saturday
Locals who live in close proximity to the Parramatta River said conditions are unprecedented after the banks were broken between Charles Street weir and the ferry wharf.
‘The entire bike path looks like it has been swallowed up,’ Leanne Roberts told Daily Mail Australia.
‘It is incredible to see the amount of rain at the moment, I actually can’t believe it.’
Rain has hammered the Harbour City in recent days, but the deluge on Saturday will be on another level, experts from the Bureau of Meteorology predicted.
The bureau warned of intense rainfall ‘potentially leading to life-threatening flash flooding’ and ‘damaging winds averaging 60-70km/h with gusts exceeding 90km/h.’
The Parramatta River has already reached dangerously high water levels, with residents encouraged to stay indoors and be prepared to evacuate if contacted by emergency services.
The wet weather also caused plenty of delays on roads across different parts of Sydney
This fearless man in Sydney braved the elements minus a jumper on Saturday
Traffic was at a standstill in some parts as motorists were cautious in the wild weather
In Chester Hill, also in Sydney’s west, a storm has left many homes destroyed or in need of urgent repairs on Saturday.
Dubbed a ‘mini tornado’ by NSW Fire and Rescue, the storm saw a large tree fall and countless homes damaged.
‘Fire and Rescue Macarthur and Wollondilly crews are on scene in Chester Hill where a mini Tornado has left a trail of destruction damaging multiple properties,’ an emergency responder tweeted.
‘Crews are working to remove trees, tarp roofs and conduct rapid impact assessments.’
The Parramatta River is looking very different at the moment after a heavy recent downpour
Barricades were set up at the ferry terminal after the breaking of banks on the Parramatta River
Locals were stunned to see the Parramatta River break its banks following the heavy rain across NSW
Seagulls across Sydney embraced the weather, with puddles in virtually every direction
This woman looked very unimpressed after her umbrella let her down during the heavy downpour (pictured in Sydney on Saturday)
How the serene Parramatta River in Sydney’s west usually looks before being subjected to flash flooding
Motorists have been advised to slow down and stay home, with driving through flooded roads discouraged.
Sydney’s main water source, the Warragamba Dam, is tipped to overflow for the first time in five years as heavy rainfall continues to bucket down.
‘We are expecting the Warragamba Dam to spill this afternoon and this will then combine with river flows from the Upper Nepean and also the Grose River and the other local tributaries,’ Bureau of Meteorology Flood Operations Manager Justin Robinson told The Australian.
The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed earlier on Saturday the Dam has already reached 99 per cent capacity.