Sunday – weather and flood watch – what we can expect today – BOM’s latest alert

NORTH RICHMOND BRIDGE CLOSED AT 9.15AM

Welcome to a sodden Sunday and here’s the latest from the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

BOM alert issued at 8:44 am EST on Sunday 3 July 2022

Flood Warning Number: 10

It looks like this could be a major flood event – yet another for the Hawkesbury – as waters quickly rise and North Richmond bridge is now closed.

BOM says:

Moderate to Major Flood Warning for the Hawkesbury and Colo Rivers

North Richmond, Windsor, Sackville, Lower Portland, Wisemans Ferry and Putty Road

 

Hawkesbury and Lower Nepean River:

Minor flooding is occurring at Penrith, with moderate flooding possible. Minor flooding is occurring at North Richmond with major flooding possible.

Moderate to Major flooding is likely along the Hawkesbury River.

The Hawkesbury River at North Richmond (WPS) is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (7.90 metres) Sunday morning and may reach the major flood level (10.50 metres) around midday Sunday. Further rises are possible with forecast rainfall.

The Hawkesbury River at Windsor (WPS) is likely to exceed the minor flood level (5.80 metres) early Sunday afternoon. The river level may exceed the moderate flood level (7.00 metres) late Sunday afternoon and may reach around 10.00 metres Sunday evening. Further rises possible with forecast rainfall.

The Hawkesbury River at Sackville may exceed the minor flood level (4.60 metres) Sunday evening. The river level may reach the moderate flood level (7.30 metres) Monday morning. Further rises are possible with forecast rainfall.

The Hawkesbury River at Lower Portland may exceed the minor flood level (4.60 metres) overnight Sunday into Monday. The river level may reach the moderate flood level (6.10 metres) Monday morning. Further rises are possible, with forecast rainfall.

The Hawkesbury River at Wisemans Ferry may reach the moderate flood level (3.50 metres) during Monday. Further rises are possible, with forecast rainfall.

Colo River:

Moderate flooding may occur along the Colo River.

The Colo River at Putty Road may exceed the minor flood level (2.70 metres) Sunday afternoon. The river level may reach the moderate flood level (5.70 metres) Sunday night. Further rises are possible with forecast rainfall.

 

A surface trough and a developing East Coast Low has been producing heavy rainfall over the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley since Saturday morning with heavy rainfall forecast to continue through Sunday and Monday. This rain coupled with high dam levels has resulted in major flooding in the Nepean River at Menangle where river levels have exceeded the flood height reached in the March 2022 flood event (15.92 metres) and is approaching the April 2022 flood height (16.83 metres). Moderate to Major flooding is likely along the Upper Nepean River at locations downstream of Menangle from Sunday.

Riverine flooding is occurring along the Hawkesbury and expected along the Colo Rivers from Sunday.

At North Richmond major flooding may develop from Sunday afternoon. Moderate flooding is likely along the Hawkesbury River at locations downstream of North Richmond from Sunday, with further rises possible.

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

A Flood Watch is current for the Hawkesbury and Nepean, Upper Cox’s, Colo and Macdonald Rivers.

We’ll bring you more as we get it…

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