The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20210322235106/https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-floods-western-sydney-penrith-hawkesbury-rivers-rising-residents-evacuating-homes/7149391b-f686-4dda-895c-33cfcb5e2bae
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here
LIVE UPDATES

Residents in Sydney's north-west told to prepare for evacuations

Residents in a number of suburbs in Sydney's north-west have been told to prepare to evacuate by the SES.
Anyone in the Widemere Detention Basin at Greystanes should prepare to leave if the dam levels continue to rise.
The amber alert takes in properties in Wetherill Park on Widemere Road, Davies Road, Hassall Road, Gipps Road, Blackstone Street, Lennox Place, Long Street and Sammut Street.
Residents in Wetherill Park, in Sydney's north west, have been warned to brace for evacuations. NSW floods
Residents in Wetherill Park, in Sydney's north west, have been warned to brace for evacuations. (9News)
The amber alert takes in properties in Wetherill Park on Widemere Road, Davies Road, Hassall Road, Gipps Road, Blackstone Street, Lennox Place, Long Street and Sammut Street. NSW Floods
The amber alert takes in properties in Wetherill Park on Widemere Road, Davies Road, Hassall Road, Gipps Road, Blackstone Street, Lennox Place, Long Street and Sammut Street. (9News)
Wherever possible, people should go and stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements.
However, if they are unable, an evacuation centre has been established Castle Hill RSL, 77 Castle Street Castle Hill.
Earlier, the NSW Premier warned residents in Sydney's west to "brace themselves" for more evacuations ahead as the flood disaster worsens across the state.
NSW SES crews have received more than 8000 calls for help due to flooding across Greater Sydney with up to 38 areas now regarded as natural disaster affected.
More than 15,000 people have been evacuated form the Mid-North Coast and more than 3000 across the Nepean and Hawksbury area.
Windsor, north-west of Sydney, is essentially underwater. NSW floods
Windsor, north-west of Sydney, is essentially underwater. (9News)
The Hawkesbury River is still causing concern for authorities. NSW floods
The Hawkesbury River is still causing concern for authorities. (9News)
Earlier, the NSW Premier warned residents in Sydney's west to "brace themselves" for more evacuations ahead as the flood disaster worsens across the state.
NSW SES crews have received more than 8000 calls for help due to flooding across Greater Sydney with up to 38 areas now regarded as natural disaster affected.
More than 15,000 people have been evacuated form the Mid-North Coast and more than 3000 across the Nepean and Hawksbury area.
Emergency services have issues 19 evacuation orders and Ms Berejiklian said there will be "more to come".
Flooding has eased for parts of the Nepean River with some residents able to return to their homes.
The NSW SES has issued an "all clear" notice for several areas in Sydney's west previously forced to evacuate due to rising water levels along the river.
Properties within the area bounded by the Nepean River, south of the Great Western Highway and west of Peach Tree Creek including Captain Road, Fitch Avenue, Ladbury Avenue, Memorial Avenue, Nepean Avenue and Recreation Avenue are now able to return to their homes.
The following locations have also been given the all clear:
  • Properties in the immediate vicinity of Cables Wake Park
  • Properties bounded by Nepean River, Jamison Road and Peach Tree Creek
  • Properties bounded by Jamison Road, Surveyors Creek, Blaikie Road, the rear of Penrith Homemaker Centre, Western Motorway and Nepean River
A resident retrieves a few last items before he evacuates his inundated home in Windsor (Nick Moir)
Houses are threatened by flood waters in Penrith after the Nepean River burst its banks, peaking at 10 metres overnight on March 22, 202. (Getty)
Almost 3000 people have already been evacuated in parts of Sydney worst-hit by flooding, and there are fears up 54,000 more could be affected.
Despite easing conditions for the Nepean River, the Hawkesbury River is still causing concern for authorities with several evacuation warnings in place and water heights peaking at levels not seen since 1961.
Ms Berejkilian said communities in area are "not out of the woods yet" and should prepare to leave if conditions change.
"We're not through the worst of it yet and that's why we need to brace ourselves," she said.
SES rescue Windsor residents as their homes become isolated and inundated as the Hawkesbury River floods.
SES rescue Windsor residents as their homes become isolated and inundated as the Hawkesbury River floods across the region. (SMH)
Hawkesbury River Flooding  Sydney
Hawkesbury River is flooding and there are concerns thousands more residents could be imapcted. (Nick Moir /SMH)
Federal Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud this morning warned of a "potentially very dangerous situation" in the worst-hit areas in Sydney's west.
"I just had an update from the Bureau saying they believe there will be heavy rain again today into Tuesday," Mr Littleproud told Today.
"With the catchment so wet you have to expect that water will cause flash flooding.
"When you look at the Hawkesbury and Nepean alone there's 2800 people that have been evacuated.
"Potentially that's over 54,000 residents that could be impacted. That's a worst case.
Houses are threatened by flood waters in Penrith after the Nepean River burst its banks, peaking at 10 metres overnight. (Getty)
Hawkesbury River Flooding  Sydney
The Windsor Bridge has been flooded. (Nick Moir /SMH)
"We're saying to people you have a responsibility to yourself and your family to understand the risks that are coming your way and particularly for those men and women that are putting themselves on the line."
Ms Berejiklian said she has spoken with Prime Minister Scott Morrison to discuss ADF support as the state's flood disaster worsens. She said Mr Morrison was "happy to provide that support" if needed.
"Once the rainfall subsides and the clean-up begins that's when we may need ADF assistance," she said.
"It will be a relief once the rain stops but not for the people who have to rebuild their lives."
A family in Port Macquarie uses a quad bike to water ski in their flooded back yard. (9News)
People watch as the bridge goes under in Windsor. (Dean Sewell)
Ms Berejiklian extended her sympathies to families and communities being impacted by floods, many of which are still recovering from the bushfire disaster.
"Some communities battered by the bushfires are now being battered by the floods and deep drought prior to that and I don't know any time in a state history where we have had these extreme weather conditions in such quick succession in the middle of a pandemic," she said.
"I know for many people, they will feel like it is a breaking point.
"Please know that we are thinking of you and getting support as much as we can."
Parts of Windsor are becoming inundated with water. (Sydney Morning Herald)
A flooded Tench Reserve Boat Ramp in Penrith as the Nepean River begins to breach its banks following disaster floods. (Sydney Morning Herald)

Work from home if you can

The NSW Government is urging Sydney residents to work from home if they can.
A number of roads are closed, and public transport is affected.
"The current weather conditions continue to affect roads and public transport across many parts of the state," NSW Transport Management said in a statement.
READ MORE: 'Beyond devastating': Large parts of Mid North Coast under water
"As a result, Sydney and Hunter passengers are urged to avoid unnecessary travel particularly in flood affected areas.
"A number of Busways services in the Hawkesbury, Penrith and Blacktown area will not operate today due to flooding.
"If possible, work from home."
People in a kayak evacuate a home in Windsor during NSW floods. (Dean Sewell)
A kayaker takes his vessel down Penrith's submerged streets. (9News)
Visit the SES website to stay up to date with evacuation warnings.
CONTACT US

Send your photos, videos and stories to 9News contact@9news.com.au

Auto news: New Jaguar Land Rover shape-shifting seat mimics walking - caradvice.com.au