Emergency Response: 20 Flood Rescues as Christmas Eve Storm Hits Sydney

Sydney residents faced a deluge on Christmas Eve as severe storms brought floods and flight disruptions. The Bureau of Meteorology issued flash flood warnings for Sydney Airport and Randwick, with a slow-moving storm drenching the city and eastern suburbs in 56mm of rain within one hour.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) conducted 20 flood rescues, focusing on people trapped in cars, and identified 30 flooded homes in Pagewood. Sydney Airport experienced delays, compounded by flash flooding on O’Riordan Street, yet it maintained operational status.

The rain is expected to persist until Boxing Day, impacting Christmas celebrations. Meteorologist Dylan Bird warned of stormy conditions, potentially affecting the Sydney to Hobart yacht race with the added risk of hail.

Severe thunderstorm warnings linger for various regions, indicating potential wind gusts, large hail, and flash flooding. SES Commander Greg Swindells assured that while flash flooding is likely, widespread flooding is not anticipated.

Flood warnings, mainly for the South Coast, have been issued on the NSW SES website, emphasizing localized flash flooding, hail, and severe winds, particularly for those in the Northern Rivers region. Amidst this, Sydney residents are grappling with the challenges brought on by the floodwaters.

Recent footage of Sydney’s flash floods. pic.twitter.com/BcMG0K5NMM

— EmmaBorosKidd (@EmmaBorosKidd) December 24, 2023