The same battle-ready vehicles that Australia sent to Ukraine have been deployed in Sydney to help with flood evacuations.
On Monday, heavy military vehicles and personnel took to the streets of Sydney to help with the damaging floods.
More than 100 members of the Australian Defense Force (ADF) have been tasked with helping with evacuations and doing tricks at the gates.
Two ADF helicopters were also deployed for the purpose of night searches, as water levels continued to threaten communities.
Evacuation orders affected more than 30,000 people, with Hawkesbury River suburbs such as Richmond, Windsor, Sackville and Wisemans Ferry being the hardest hit.
The NSW SES continued to issue “abandon now” orders until Monday evening for the lowlands of Woronora and Bonnet Bay.
Woronora residents on Harrison Avenue, McKinley Avenue, Washington Drive and Wilson Place were told to leave as soon as possible.
Those from Bonnet Bay to Johnson Close, Arthur Place and Lower Washington Drive properties were also asked to move now.
The Bureau of Meteorology also issued a flood warning for Liverpool and Milperra, as a rapid rise in river level was observed upstream of Liverpool, Milperra and Woronora Bridge.
Residents at Warwick Farm Racecourse, as well as parts of Chipping Norton, Georges Hall, Moorebank and Lansvale were ordered to evacuate at 9 p.m.
Some areas were experiencing their fourth major flood in 18 months.
According to an update from the BOM, a low east coast hit the ground, causing heavy rains in the region on Sunday afternoon.
Meteorologist Christie Johnson said lighter rains were expected throughout the afternoon.
“We continue to have clouds flowing off the coast of NSW and bringing showers, especially south of Sydney at this stage, but we continue to move north into the evening,” Ms Johnson said.
“It is important to remember that floods still occur after the rain has subsided.
“We have flood warnings in much of NSW. In particular, there are major floods in the Hawkesbury-Nepean river system and on Wednesday we could also see large floods in the Macquarie River.”
A striking image of a submerged service station in south-west Sydney showed the depth of the state’s “danger” of flooding.
The photo, uploaded by the State Emergency Service (SES) on Sunday afternoon, showed the desperate scene at Shell Urbanista Cafe & Convenience in Chipping Norton.
SES boats can be seen approaching a man who is dangerously sitting on a pillar on the water.
Several items float in the background, with a later photograph showing the man receiving a life jacket as he prepares to board a boat.
NSW Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said the floods were “heartbreaking” for people in western Sydney, Hunter and other regions who were just recovering from the last rain. intense.
“For many communities, this is the fourth flood they’ve seen in less than 18 months. Some of these images are really heartbreaking, seeing people’s homes, their lives upside down again and their livelihoods. very affected, ”he said.
“Our heart is very much on the people and communities right now, and I want to assure those communities that we will be there with them throughout the recovery process.”
In recent days there have been 116 flood rescues, of which 83 have occurred since 9pm on Sunday night.
There have also been about 1600 requests for help.
“We face dangers on multiple fronts, including flooding the river,” Ms. Cooke told Chris Smith of 2GB.
“It’s water that flows quickly, so we’re very concerned that people are trapped.”
Ms. Cooke noted the fatigue of the disaster that many residents affected by the floods felt across the state, but urged people to stay alert and willing to act.
“It’s understandable that people are tired and frank about it, especially in the face of the school holidays,” Ms. Cooke said.
“We just want people to get over this in one piece.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged those affected by the floods in NSW to stay safe after returning from war-torn Ukraine on Monday afternoon (AEST).
Albanese visited Ukraine over the weekend where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Prime Minister confirmed that he had been briefed on the situation by NSW Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet and Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt.
“They have crossed into Poland from Ukraine and have left silence on the radio,” Albanese tweeted.
“It’s a constantly changing situation. Check out @NSWSES and @BOM_NSW for the latest tips and be sure “.
He added that help is being provided from the federal government.
NSW Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet urged residents to stay safe and follow any SES evacuation orders or advice.
“I want to keep asking people to follow the SES instructions. If there is an evacuation notice, please prepare to evacuate. If there is an evacuation order, please leave immediately,” he said.
“These instructions, warnings, orders, are not in place for the sake of it. They are there to keep you and your family safe. As we have said, over the last few days, simply because of a past experience with a flood. , does not mean that this will be the experience this time “.
Seven evacuation centers have been established in the highest risk areas in Canley Vale, Kasi Hill, Gosford, North Richmond and Richmond.
In addition to sudden flooding, residents should be wary of landslides, coastal erosion and falling trees.
The SES asks people not to travel if it can be avoided and never to drive through flood waters.
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