Major flood level possible at North Richmond by Fri am but river levels expected below March flood

Major flooding is possible along the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond from Friday morning, moderate flooding possible at Penrith and Windsor and minor flooding possible at Sackville, says BOM in its latest alert this afternoon.

A Flood Watch is current for the Upper Coxs and Macdonald Rivers.

The river at North Richmond is expected to exceed the minor flood level (3.80m) around 7pm today – Thursday – says BOM in its latest update at 2.56pm Thursday, Flood Warning 6.

The river level at North Richmond is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (7.90m) overnight Thursday into Friday and may reach the major flood level (10.50m) by Friday morning with forecast rainfall, says BOM – lower than the March 2022 flood peak, but enough to see the bridge close if the river gets that high.

The Hawkesbury River at Windsor is expected to exceed the minor flood level (5.80 m) overnight Thursday into Friday. The river level is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (7.00 m) Friday morning and may reach around 9.80 metres during Saturday with moderate flooding.

The moderate flooding expected along the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond overnight Thursday and into Friday will be as a result of significant flows from the Upper Nepean, with major flooding possible with forecast rainfall, says BOM in its latest Flood Warning.

Warragamba dam is spilling, but that has been happening for a few weeks now, though the spill is increasing and expected – says WaterNSW – to reach its peak spill by Friday evening.

A deepening coastal trough has been producing heavy rainfall over the Upper Nepean catchment area since Wednesday evening, and is forecast to expand to the rest of the Hawkesbury and Colo catchments and continue through to Friday.

River level rises have been observed on the Upper Nepean River, Wollondilly River, Grose River and the Coxs River and are expected to rise further with forecast rain.

Major flooding is occurring along the Upper Nepean River and is expected to reach levels higher than the March 2022 flood and similar to the April 1988 flood.

A Severe Weather Warning is current for heavy rainfall in the Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast and parts of Hunter, Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Hawkesbury and Lower Nepean River

Major flooding possible along the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond, moderate flooding possible at Penrith and Windsor and minor flooding possible at Sackville.

The Nepean River at Penrith is expected to exceed the minor flood level (3.90 m) Thursday evening. The river level may reach around 5.60 metres Friday afternoon with minor flooding. Further rises to the moderate flood level (7.90 m) are possible with forecast rainfall.

The Hawkesbury River at Sackville is expected to reach the minor flood level (4.60 m) Friday afternoon. The river level may reach around 5.80 metres during Saturday with minor flooding.

Colo River

Minor flooding may occur along the Colo River.

The Colo River at Putty Road may reach the minor flood level (2.70 m) overnight Thursday into Friday.

Upper Nepean River

Major flooding is occurring along the Upper Nepean River at Menangle and minor flooding is occurring at Camden. Major possible at Camden and Wallacia. Flooding higher than the March 2022 flood is expected along the Upper Nepean River.

The Nepean River at Menangle Bridge may reach around 16.50 metres Thursday afternoon with major flooding, higher than the March 2022 flood peak and similar to the April 1988 flood peak.

The Nepean River at Camden Weir is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (8.30 m) around 01:00 pm Thursday. The river level may reach the major flood level (13.80 m) Thursday evening, higher than the March 2022 flood peak.

The Nepean River at Wallacia Weir is expected to exceed the minor flood level (5.00 m) overnight Thursday into Friday. The river level is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (8.70 m) early Friday morning and is likely to exceed the major flood level (11.00 m) Friday morning. The river level may reach 14.35 metres, higher than the March 2022 flood peak and similar to the April 1988 flood peak.

Here is the link if you want to read the whole BOM alert for yourself.

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