Sydney weather: Flood evacuation orders issued for parts of Sydney's west — as it happened

Goodnight and good luck

All, it has been a pleasure, but I'm jumping in the dinghy and zooming on home. 

Keep safe out there and our thoughts go out to all those impacted. 

-Nick 😊👍

And while we're talking about the 1961 flood...

The SES has tweeted this reminder (with a link to the BOM flood warnings). If you live in the affected areas, it's well-worth keeping an eye on: 

Worried your home might be in danger?

Another request has come through about maps to check how your area may be impacted.

The SES (can they do anything wrong?) have created this very helpful interactive map that will allow you to check if your area could be affected or not. 

Here it is: 

Some of you have been asking about the 1961 floods (and the history of flooding in the Nepean/Hawkesbury).

The SES (god bless their wet cotton socks) put out an ominously titled video two years ago.

I have tracked it down.

So here it is:

It's not just NSW...

We're not the best of friends during Origin period - and our premiers didn't get along sometimes during COVID-19 - but in times of natural disaster we look out for each other. And over the border, the Queenslanders are also getting hit with heavy rainfall and flooding. 

This report out of the QLD newsroom shows how parts of the Gold Coast are flooding as severe thunderstorms bring intense rainfall hit south-east Queensland.    

So here's a shout out to all the northerners, I will stop by the bottle shop and pick up a XXXX on the way home after knock off time (if they have any).

Hastings River warning

The blows keep coming for the Port Macquarie region. 

Keep safe everyone.

If you're in need of assistance... 

A reminder that the NSW SES is advising anyone who needs general advice on flood affected areas to call the public information inquiry centre hotline on 1800 227 228.

For emergency assistance in storms call 132 500 but if the situation is life threatening call 000

And while we're here, a big shout out to the 1,400 SES volunteers who've been called out to 7,700 jobs across the state, including 700 flood rescues. 

These men and women are HEROES. 

I dedicate this David Bowie picture to them. 

The Hawkesbury River set to turn nasty

NSW floods and the 'bathtub effect'

If you're curious why this is happening, Riley Stuart from the NSW news room has written this helpful explainer

In a nutshell, Australia's largest city is often described as being in the "Sydney basin" — particularly apt term right now, as it's experiencing something known as the "bathtub effect". 

It's what happens when a lot of water is tipped into a low-lying area (like Sydney) and it can't escape quickly enough.

When it rains, the water that's dumped on the ground eventually drains into rivers and ultimately the ocean.

If a lot of rain is trying to escape from somewhere at the same time, low-lying areas can fill up like a bathtub while the deluge makes its way through one small point (like a plug hole).

Photo(s) of the day:

Darren Pateman from AAP sent through these photos out of Newcastle.

Slip and slide, TO THE EXTREME.

Updated school closure list

About 137 schools across NSW will be non-operational for onsite learning tomorrow.  

The NSW Department of Education says there may be further changes into the evening or tomorrow morning as the situation changes "so we are encouraging parents and carers to visit their school website or the School Safety page to see if their school is affected". 

Learning resources are available from the department’s learning from home hub.

Before leaving home, parents and carers should consider their local situation including any existing road closures and forecast weather conditions. 

The conditions have resulted in some schools requiring maintenance and repair. The Department of Education is assessing the extent of the damage and has started the clean-up to ensure that schools can be returned to normal operations as soon as possible.

"Given the continuing bad weather it may take a little while to understand the extent of the damage," it said. 

Newcastle Airport closed

Who said there was a Melbourne-Sydney rivalry?

Hi Nick, I’ve noticed a few commenters/questioners who are also corona-blog followers. These people gave support and cheeriness to those of in Vic during lockdown last year. Can I return the favour and say best wishes, we’re with you in spirit, and stay well. We’re thinking of you...

-In Melb

 Bless. 

Prison break

A number of correctional centres west of Sydney have been forced to evacuate due to flooding.

Inmates from the Emu Plains Minimum Security Prison for women and the nearby Bolwara Transitional Centre are being transferred to the Dillwynia Correctional Centre.

The Amber Laurel Correctional Centre, an intake and transit facility, will send inmates to similar facilities across Sydney.

Travel to the Blue Mountains?

We're all in need of a holiday Lauren, so you're definitely not an idiot. Probably best to make that call tomorrow morning when we know the state of play with road closures and flooding in the area. Nick     

The trains are back

Some more traffic updates: