SYDNEY—Heavy rainfall has caused flash flooding in NSWs South Coast region with concerns some river levels could peak, further saturating some communities.
Up to 200 millimetres (7.9 inches) of rainfall hit a number of towns including Moruya, Nowra and Captains Flat over the past 24 hours, with up to 300 mm of rain falling in some areas.
More than 20 homes at Broughton Vale near Berry were also cut off by floodwater.
There are concerns about the town of Moruya where the river is expected to peak at 2.7 metres on the afternoon of Aug 9 as well as Sussex Inlet which is forecast to rise to 1.3m with the high tide at night.
The nearby river at Island Point Road is also expected to peak near 1.5m later on Aug. 9.
The NSW State Emergency Service says the ground in those areas is already very saturated after heavy rainfalls caused flash flooding one week ago.
Commissioner Carlene York says volunteers are closely watching the flooding in Moruyas CBD with residents urged to prepare their properties in case an evacuation is ordered.
“Moruya CBD is our greatest risk at this stage and those areas affected from a week ago around the Sussex Inlet areas,” she told reporters in Sydney on Aug. 9.
“The ground is pretty well saturated in these areas, it does make it very difficult for these waters to get away and does result in that flash flooding sometimes in unexpected areas that have not flooded before.”
York also noted the ground across parts of the South Coast has become unstable as a result of last summers bushfires with residents warned to be alert for landslides and fallen trees.
The NSW SES has responded to more than 700 calls for help and conducted more than 18 flood rescues over the past 48 hours with most calls coming from Berry, Nowra, Broughton Vale and Gerringong.
NSW Bureau of Meteorology senior flood hydrologist Justin Robinson said the heavy rains are expected to ease on the South Coast later on Aug. 9 and move towards Sydney, the Central Coast and Read More – Source
