More than 2000 people have been affected by evacuation orders across Sydney, with some residents forced to leave their homes for the second time this month.
A man walks in front of the Harbour Bridge during rainfall in Sydney on 7 April as inclement weather triggered evacuation orders in several suburbs of Sydney's south and southwest. Photo: AFP or licensors
Southwest of Sydney, in the town of Cobbity, a man's body has been found submerged in his car in floodwaters.
A police operation is currently under way to retrieve his body from the inundated vehicle.
The deluge that saw Sydney reach its yearly average rainfall in less than four months on Thursday is expected to ease today but not the flood warnings for saturated catchments.
With 23 evacuation orders and 16 evacuation warnings still in place, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said there was still a "significant risk" for flood-affected residents.
Perrottet said despite the severe weather events over the last few months, "very few" lives had been lost, which he said was a reflection of people listening to emergency service personnel.
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) senior hydrologist Jane Golding said although the rain was easing, residents along the Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers should stay alert to rising water.
"Camden, Wallacia, North Richmond are looking similar to what we saw in March. And some of those sites haven't peaked yet," Golding said.
"Richmond and Wallacia in particular, those rivers are still rising. We're expecting them to peak sometime later this afternoon or evening, and then start dropping below major either tonight or tomorrow."
Flood Recovery Minister Steph Cooke urged drivers to be cautious of fast-moving water and debris left on roads.
"Please take care when you're on our roads, whether it is the risk of flash flooding or whether it's the risk of debris being left behind by some of the flash flooding that we have seen over the past 24 hours," she said.
State Emergency Services (SES) Deputy Commissioner Daniel Austin said there was still a need to be "vigilant" with 2,388 residents affected by evacuation orders and more than 1700 people affected by evacuation warnings.
It is the second time Camden has been inundated with flood waters in a month, with businesses and residents still grappling with the fallout from the previous event.
Local Peter Harvey said being hit with another flood so soon was "heartbreaking" for the community.
"I feel sorry for the local businesses … they've been working hard, cleaning up, and then this come up again out of nowhere."
Harvey said Camden's position in a flood plain meant it was constantly at the mercy of mother nature but believes accelerating development in the area might be contributing to flood levels.
"There's lots development going on and lots of run-off," he said.
"I think it's a good wake-up call for developers. And the people who buy them houses who aren't local and aren't familiar with the area get caught out."
Dam could spill for two weeks
Higher-than-average yearly rainfall, driven by a La Niña system set to continue for the remainder of April, was also recorded in Marrickville, Collaroy, Penrith and Warragamba.
And Water NSW says the Warragamba dam could spill for about two weeks, causing issues for nearby residents with catchments already full.
People planning on travelling during the school holidays in New South Wales have been urged to stay vigilant as the flood risk remains.
The BOM's senior hydrologist Ailsa Schofield said those planning to get away for the end of the school term and Easter break needed to stay safe.
"Not only do we need to be aware of the weather and flood situation in your local area, but you also need to be aware of the areas that you're travelling through and travelling to," Ms Schofield said.
Last night there were evacuation orders still in place for a number of areas including Camden and Chipping Norton in south-west Sydney, and Gronos Point on the Hawkesbury River.
Camden residents were given until 10pm to leave their homes, many however opted to stay despite the water reaching driveways and front gardens.
More evacuation orders were made for residents along the Hawkesbury in parts of Pitt Town, Agnes Banks, Cattai, Cornwallis and Richmond Lowlands this morning.
People in Ebenezer have been told to be prepared to leave the area.
Major flood warnings have been issued for the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond, and the Upper Nepean River.
Residents on the banks of the Woronora River were on high alert for another night as the next high tide was expected in the early hours of Friday.
Sydney can expect some rain today, which will break up into showers tomorrow.
- ABC
