Six people were hospitalized after a collision between a ute and a four-wheel drive on the Castlereagh Highway at Aarons Pass, just south of Mudgee in New South Wales. Two children were flown to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, while a man in his 60s was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital. Another man in his 30s and a woman in her 30s were also hospitalized, with the woman in critical condition. The cause of the crash, which occurred on a wet road, is still under investigation.
In Sydney, heavy rain caused flooding and transportation disruptions. Wakehurst Parkway on the northern beaches was closed due to flooding, as well as Riverside Road in Chipping Norton. Reduced train frequencies were implemented to prevent network congestion after signalling equipment was damaged at Redfern station. Ferry services between Rydalmere and Parramatta were replaced by buses, and buses supplemented train services on the T1 and T8 lines between various stations.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasted between 100 and 200 millimeters of rainfall over Sydney and surrounding areas, warning residents of possible flash flooding. Concerns were particularly raised for areas between the Blue Mountains and Narooma, where intense rainfall could lead to dangerous flash flooding. Water NSW is preparing for a controlled release from the 96.3% full Warragamba Dam, which could spill over with as little as 90 millimeters of rain, expected to occur by Monday morning.
Northern Beaches Council workers in Sydney preemptively excavated Narrabeen Lagoon to prepare for additional water flow downstream. Mayor Sue Heins stated that they had also lowered Manly Dam levels to increase flood storage. Lismore, which suffered devastating floods in 2022, saw the Wilsons River peak lower than expected, removing the flooding warning for the town. Despite these preparations and precautions, over 100 domestic flights at Sydney Airport were cancelled, and dozens were delayed due to the weather conditions.
Overall, the state of New South Wales was hit with heavy rainfall leading to transportation disruptions, hospitalizations due to a car crash on a wet road, and concerns over potential flash flooding and dam spills. Local authorities and emergency services were on high alert, undertaking preventative measures such as controlled releases from dams and excavations to mitigate flooding risks. Despite the challenges posed by the weather, the community remained vigilant and prepared to address any further impacts caused by the ongoing rain event.
