New evacuation orders have been established for the Hunter region of New South Wales as the weather system moves north along with the threat of flooding.
Residents and businesses along the Wollombi River have been told to move to higher ground.
Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt warned earlier that the Hunter region is now on the flood emergency firing line.
A building is flooded across the Windsor Bridge in Windsor on the outskirts of Sydney. (AP)
“More rain is expected in the coming days in the Hunter region, and there is a risk of flooding,” he said.
“Over the weekend, we expect some rain in the Northern Rivers region.”
Watt said he hopes rain on northern rivers will not cause flooding, with the area devastated by unprecedented flooding already twice this year.
The rainiest year in history, as the flood catastrophe continues
Meanwhile, Weatherzone said there has been 73 millimeters of rain in Sydney over the past 24 hours, meaning it is the wettest year in the state.
“Not only is it the rainiest year recorded in Sydney to date with 191 mm (above 1578.3 mm since 1890), it is also the 11th rainiest year in the city in records dating back to 1859 “said meteorologist Ben Domensino.
Across NSW there are 102 evacuation orders and 55 more evacuation notices, covering a total of about 50,000 people statewide.
Floodwaters northwest of Sydney. (Dean Sewell)
PM to visit the areas affected by the floods tomorrow
The prime minister will visit flood-affected regions in NSW on Wednesday with the prime minister, as many areas of the state remain underwater.
Watt described the situation as “serious” and said Anthony Albanese was giving “all possible support to the NSW government and the people of NSW”.
He added that while flood waters in many areas have peaked, other regions remain at risk.
A man walks through the floodwaters back home from a fire truck in Windsor on the outskirts of Sydney. (AP)
“More rain is expected in the coming days in the Hunter region, and there is a risk of flooding,” he said.
“Over the weekend, we expect some rain in the Northern Rivers region.”
Watt said he hopes rain on northern rivers will not cause flooding, with the area devastated by unprecedented flooding already twice this year.
People paddle down a flooded street in Windsor, just outside Sydney. (AP)
Meanwhile, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the government’s message to those affected by the floods is, “We will be there for you.”
He said the government is focused on the human and emotional costs of flooding, but admitted that the economic costs will also be significant.
“We’ve seen the impact of food prices that we expect to see, as we’re talking about some really important parts of Australia producing food,” he said.
“We know the combination of support for these communities will increase.”
Flood waters recede in Windsor
Northwest Sydney, including Windsor, has been one of the areas hardest hit by the floods.
Now the water is slowly receding, but it is expected to remain at a significant flood level at least until tomorrow afternoon.
Residents expect it not to get worse.
“I’m upset that this happened, but the police have done a very good job,” a neighbor shouted.
Flood rescue and landslides in NSW
Dozens of flood rescues have been carried out by emergency services over the past 24 hours.
Witnesses said that if the police had not helped the man he would have drowned.
Even a police car needed help when it entered the water overnight before being flooded by water.
Police car stranded in Sydney waters (new)
Heavy rains have also caused landslides in Greater Sydney.
In the Blue Mountains, the land gave way near the train tracks to Blackheath, meaning services have been canceled between Katoomba and Mount Victoria.
“This can take weeks to repair, with initial inspections showing the landslide is up to 40 meters long, 20 meters wide and 60 meters deep,” Transport for NSW said.
A landslide has stopped trains in the blue mountains of NSW. (Facebook)
Strange view of Sydney beach
Earlier, New South Wales Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet warned that the flood crisis is “far from over” as the government offers disaster relief to the victims.
“This event is far from over, please don’t be pleased,” he said.