Ten million Australians are currently under a weather warning amid flood disaster and mass evacuations.

Ten million Australians are currently under a weather warning amid flood disaster and mass evacuations. Source: AAP

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Ten million Australians are currently under a weather warning amid flood disaster and mass evacuations

Residents in regional NSW and western Sydney have been ordered to evacuate as wild weather lashes the state, while south-east Queensland is also on alert for flooding.

Ten million Australians are currently under a weather warning amid flood disaster and mass evacuations.

Ten million Australians are currently under a weather warning amid flood disaster and mass evacuations. Source: AAP

Published 22 March 2021 8:38am
Updated 22 March 2021 10:08pm
Source: SBS

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22 Mar 2021 9:00pm
Thanks for reading!
That's where we'll leave the live blog for tonight.

Here's a quick summary on where we're at:

• The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a weather warning to 10 million Australians across the country, with every mainland state and territory except Western Australia included. There are warnings of heavy rain, damaging winds and heavy surf into Tuesday.

• More than 18,000 people have been evacuated in NSW, with more than 150 flood rescues since Sunday night. The rain is not expected to ease until Wednesday, with a total of 194 schools in the state to be closed tomorrow.

• A "significant" amount of rain is expected to hit Queensland tomorrow as a trough moves into the state's south-west. A flood watch is in place for southern parts of the state from the South Australian border to the south-east coast.

You can keep up with the latest weather news via the SBS News social media channels and website. You can also catch SBS World News at 6:30pm AEST tonight and listen to
SBS Radio podcasts on demand
.

22 Mar 2021 7:19pm
Ten million Australians under weather warning
The Bureau of Meteorology says that 10 million Australians are currently under a weather warning, in every mainland state and territory except Western Australia.

"Around 10 million Australians in every mainland state and territory – except WA – are currently under a weather warning as two major systems collide," the BOM said.

"Warnings for heavy rain, damaging winds and heavy surf cover a size area similar to Alaska."

The BOM says the severe weather conditions in NSW are expected to continue into Tuesday before easing on Wednesday.

22 Mar 2021 6:35pm
'We don’t use the terminology around life-threatening flash flooding without due course'
Daniel Austin, the deputy commissioner at the New South Wales SES, has stressed that the floods are a "serious situation".

Speaking to the ABC this evening, he said the situation was "highly dynamic" and noted numerous flood records had been broken in several places. 

"It's certainly a very serious situation," he said. "We don’t use the terminology around life-threatening flash flooding without due course. So when we start using those kinds of statements, there is a real reason for that. That is because we do think the scenario really does have that potential."

It came after the Bureau of Meteorology warned of "life-threatening" extensive flooding and heavy rain.

 

22 Mar 2021 5:06pm
'I made it to the church and married the love of my life'
Over the weekend, you may have heard the story of Kate Fotheringham - a former journalist on the Mid-North Coast who was flooded in on her wedding day. 

The bride-to-be posted a plea for help on Twitter on Saturday to get to her venue in Wingham, near Port Macquarie, after being trapped by floodwaters. 

She posted an update this afternoon, saying she made it down the aisle. 

22 Mar 2021 4:48pm
Evacuation warnings issued for Rickaby's Creek, Widemere Detention Basin
The NSW SES has issued warnings for residents in Rickaby's Creek and the Widemere Detention Basin at Greystanes to prepare to evacuate due to rising floodwaters. 

It said residents in those areas should monitor the situation and be prepared to evacuate when instructed to do so. 

Earlier, the NSW SES said major flooding was occuring on the Colo River - part of the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment - at Upper Colo and Putty Road bridge where river levels continued to rise. 

An alert for moderate to major flooding on the Hawkesbury River at Windsor and Sackville was also issued, with the NSW SES saying it may peak near 13 metres tonight. 

22 Mar 2021 4:29pm
'No one has ever seen it this bad': Sophie has endured drought, bushfires and now floods
Outside Long Flat, a town about 50km west of Port Macquarie, farmer Sophie Love says the river has risen over eight metres above its usual level. 

"No one has ever seen it this bad, we are surrounded by 80-year-old neighbours and in living memory it has never come up on the flat outside our house, which it did yesterday in an hour," she told SBS News. 

Sophie Love's house on the Mid-North Coast has been cut off from the outside world.
Sophie Love's house on the Mid-North Coast has been cut off from the outside world. Source: Supplied


Ms Love's house has been cut off by flooded roads and they have been unable to survey the damage to much of their 400-acre property. Ms Love said they expect to remain cut off for weeks. 

"We just have to distract ourselves until we can get over there and do what we can. We survived the drought, survived the bushfires, we just keep putting one foot in front of the other," she said. 

You can read more about Ms Love's story in this report by my colleague, Jarni Blakkarly: 

READ MORE

'No one has ever seen it this bad': NSW residents shocked by extent of flood damage



22 Mar 2021 4:14pm
'Significant' rain expected in southern Queensland, weather bureau says
The weather bureau says significant rain is expected in the state's southern interior, as a trough moves into south-west and western Queensland. 

"Heavy rain is possible across the south as this new system moves east," the BOM said this afternoon. 

"The current south-east Queensland coastal trough will make way for the western rain tomorrow." 

A flood watch is in place for southern parts of Queensland from the South Australian border to the south-east coast. Flood warnings are current for a number of catchments in the area. 

22 Mar 2021 3:43pm
Elderly woman rescued through multi-agency effort
Fire and Rescue NSW has shared footage of an "exceptional multi-agency effort" to rescue an elderly woman in Kempsey amid the floods.

The NSW SES, Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Ambulance were all involved in the rescue of the woman, who had a broken hip.

"NSW SES captained the boat to dry land in Kempsey, where our flood rescue crew was able to carefully lift her to the awaiting NSW Ambulance where paramedics took over," FRNSW wrote.

22 Mar 2021 3:20pm
The latest on Monday
As we continue to bring you the latest updates on the situation developing across eastern NSW, here's what you need to know as of Monday afternoon. 

AAP reports: 

Sydney

  • More than 18,000 people evacuated
  • 150 flood rescues overnight to early on Monday
  • 2,000 calls for help, taking the total for the weekend to more than 10,000
  • More than 200 schools closed
  • Rain not expected to ease until Wednesday

Mid-North Coast

  • 15,000 people ordered to evacuate low-lying areas including Macksville, Port Macquarie, Lower Macleay, Kempsey CBD
  • Communities facing the worst flooding conditions in almost a century
  • Another 100mm of rainfall is expected in the next 24-36 hours
  • The Macleay and Hastings rivers are overflowing in many areas

Hunter region

  • The immediate threat appeared to have eased on Monday morning but there's more rain on the way and the danger is not over
  • More flooding is forecast along the Hawkesbury and Hunter rivers

Western, southern and northern Sydney

  • 3,000 people from communities along the Hawkesbury River have been evacuated amid the worst flooding since 1961, with the river expected to peak at around 15m on Monday night
  • Another 50-100mm of rainfall expected in the next 24 to 36 hours
  • Major risks remain for residents west of the city around the Hawkesbury-Nepean river system
  • The Nepean River peaked near Penrith overnight at just over 10m, forcing evacuations
  • Other towns affected included Windsor, Pitt Town, North Richmond, Freemans Reach and Colo
  • There are fears up to 54,000 people could be displaced

Western NSW

  • Parts of western NSW could receive a season's worth of rain as another system moves in from the south
  • Moderate flooding is expected on the Macquarie River at Bathurst
  • Moderate to major flooding is also possible in the northwest of the state

Illawarra

  • Two flood watch alerts are in place for the Shoalhaven and Bega rivers and the St Georges Basin
  • 200-300mm of rainfall expected in the next 24 to 36 hours
 

22 Mar 2021 3:10pm
The ADF is readying itself to help NSW, prime minister says
The prime minister said the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is readying itself for an official request for assistance, which he expects will be made today.

"We understand that this is likely to be for recovery support and clean up operations including personnel, vehicles and machinery," Mr Morrison told parliament. 

"The [NSW] premier and I were discussing that over the weekend."

Mr Morrison said he has also recently been advised in discussions on the potential for heavy lift aerial support, but that "this is also still to be scoped". 

Federal disaster recovery payments and allowances have been activated to support those who have been affected. 

Mr Morrison said he is grateful no lives have so far been lost. 

22 Mar 2021 3:01pm
'Australia is being tested once again,' Scott Morrison says
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has addressed parliament about the flood event in NSW and south-east Queensland, saying "Australia is being tested once again". 

"The east coast of Australia, predominantly NSW but also in south-east Queensland, has experienced an extraordinary deluge over recent days. Rains are expected for at least the next 24 and 48 hours," he said. 

"In south-east Queensland, there has been intense rainfall with more than 300 SES requests for assistance, over the 24 hours until this morning with crews working through the night. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for western and southern Queensland from this afternoon, which could extend to the south-east coast tomorrow morning. A number of flood warnings remain in place for parts of the state, also.

"Some parts of NSW are experiencing the worst flooding in over 50 years - and worse. From Penrith to the north of Port Macquarie, evacuation orders are in place for 28 areas with a further 16 areas issued with an evacuation warning."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra on 22 March, 2021.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra on 22 March, 2021. Source: AAP


Mr Morrison went on to acknowledge and pay tribute to the "extraordinary efforts" of volunteers and emergency services who have responded to this event. 

"And there is a serious risk still ahead," he said. 

"Thankfully, the current forecast has conditions easing statewide from early Wednesday but we will watch and see. Mr Speaker, I want to assure residents and all storm and flood affected areas that all parts of government are working closely together."

22 Mar 2021 2:20pm
Monday, in pictures (so far)
Floodwaters in Richmond
Floodwaters in Richmond Source: AFP / AFP/Saeed Khan


Around 18,000 people in NSW have been evacuated during the flood disaster.
People by a road cut off by floodwaters in Richmond Source: AFP / AFP/Saeed Khan


The New Windsor Bridge is seen inundated by flood waters from the Nepean River
The New Windsor Bridge inundated by flood waters from the Nepean River Source: AAP / AAP/Dean Lewis


A semi-submerged playground on the banks of the flooded Nepean River at Trench Reserve at Penrith
A semi-submerged playground on the banks of the flooded Nepean River at Trench Reserve at Penrith Source: AAP / AAP/Dean Lewis


A dead fish at a playground on the banks of the flooded Nepean River at Trench Reserve at Penrith
A dead fish at the same playground Source: AAP / AAP/Dean Lewis


22 Mar 2021 2:23pm
A look at falls across NSW and Queensland
As we've been hearing, heavy rain continues to impact not just eastern NSW, but also parts of south-east Queensland. 

In the 24 hours to 9am today, 245 mm fell at Nambucca Heads and 183 mm at Coffs Harbour on the Mid-North Coast. 

Below, the green dots show overnight falls of less than 20 mm, orange dots more than 50 mm and red dots over 100 mm. 

22 Mar 2021 2:02pm
Sydney 'might see some stars tomorrow night,' BOM says
Mr Robinson said the areas of concern across the Sydney region include those along the Hawkesbury-Nepean river such as Penrith, Windsor, North Richmond and Weisman's Ferry. 

He said heavy rainfall is forecast in the coming days across parts of Sydney more broadly.

Ms Golding said the Sydney region could expect another 50 to 100 mm over the next 24 to 36  hours. 

“More broadly across the state, some areas will see more than that. The South Coast tomorrow expects anywhere in the range of 200 to 300mm as that system progresses,” she said. 

Meanwhile, the Mid-North Coast could get another 100mm, as could the western slopes, north western slopes and plains.

For Sydneysiders, this means the worst of the rain could be over within the next 24 to 36 hours. 

“So for Sydney, we might see some stars tomorrow night which will be nice, and it will take a little bit longer to clear in the south,” Ms Golding said.

22 Mar 2021 1:50pm
'Worst flooding' in 20 years as BOM flood forecaster
In his 20 years as a flood forecaster with the weather bureau, Justin Robinson says this is "probably the worst flooding [he] has experienced". 

"My thoughts go out to those impacted communities and individuals," he said. 

Mr Robinson said a lot of forecast has focused on the Hawksebury- Nepean valley, where some locations have experienced the worst flooding since 1961. 

"River levels at Penrith peaked yesterday afternoon at a level higher than 1961," he said, adding floodwaters are now expected to pick up at Windsor this afternoon. 

But he reiterated this is a state-wide flood event. 

"We have a flood watch that covers all the way from the Queensland border to the Victorian border, all of those coastal rivers," he said.

The floodwatch has been extended to include areas of inland NSW, where Mr Robinson said there is particular concern for north-western catchments that could see potentially moderate or major flooding in areas such as Inverell and Ashford. 

"This is quite a dangerous situation NSW is currently facing," he said. 

"There's one strong message to impacted residents: really keep across the bureau's flood warnings, they provide detailed forecasts ... and keep across updates from local SES about what actions to take."

22 Mar 2021 1:37pm
Heavy falls expected on areas 'that haven't seen as much rain,' BOM says
The weather bureau's Jane Golding said the rainfall is set to continue in some areas as a slow-moving coastal trough combines with "another system" moving through from the west. 

"Over the course of this event, we have seen really intense rainfall rates and it has fallen on some very wet catchments. We have seen some increased flooding and pretty catastrophic impacts across eastern NSW," she said. 

"With this approach of the new system coming through ... we are expecting this heavy rain to rall in some areas that haven’t seen as much rain in the last few days, and we are seeing the flood risk to develop in those areas."

As we have mentioned, severe weather warnings have been extended to include the south coast regions and the western districts for today and tomorrow. 

"Those areas are west of the divide on the western slopes - Moree, Dubbo, Armidale, Tamworth - and down towards the central west slopes can see increases in rainfalls over the next 24-36 hours and tomorrow the focus will shift over towards the south coast," she said. 

"We expect clearance from the system to occur either late tomorrow or Wednesday, depending on which part of the state you’re in. The flood risk will continue for several days."

22 Mar 2021 1:12pm
NSW SES gives 'all clear' to parts of Penrith
There's been relief for some Sydneysiders, with the NSW SES issuing an "all clear" notice for western parts of Penrith, as flooding eases on the Nepean River. 

The NSW SES says it is now safe to return for the following areas:

  • Properties within the area bounded by the Nepean River, south of the Great Western Highway and west of Peach Tree Creek which includes: Captains Road; Fitch Avenue; Ladbury Avenue; Memorial Avenue; Nepean Avenue and Recreation Avenue
  • Properties in the immediate vicinity of Cables Wake Park; the area bounded by the Nepean River, Jamison Road and Peach Tree Creek
  • Properties bounded by Jamison road, Surveyors Creek, Blaikie Road, the rear of the Penrith Homemaker Centre, Western Motorway and Nepean River
  • Properties along Martin Street between the Mulgoa Creek and the Nepean River
22 Mar 2021 12:54pm
Insurance catastrophe declared for large parts of NSW
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared a catastrophe for large parts of NSW due to the "devastating" storms and flooding. 

The IGA's declaration means claims from affected homeowners and businesses will be escalated and given priority by insurers. 

ICA boss Andrew Hall said insurers have received over 5,000 claims in the past few days, but that it is still too early to understand the full extent of the damage to property in affected areas. 

"As many areas are currently inaccessible due to floodwater, insurers are expecting further claims in coming days as emergency services allow residents to return to their properties to examine the extent of their damage and losses," he said. 

If you are uncertain of your insurance details or have general inquiries about the claims process, you can call the ICA's disaster hotline on 1800 734 621. 

22 Mar 2021 12:36pm
NSW may need ADF support during clean up and recovery, premier says
The NSW premier said she has spoken with Prime Minister Scott Morrison about federal assistance, which may include Australian Defence Force (ADF) support during the clean up and recovery stage.  

"It is an evolving situation, if we need their support we will ask for it. My suspicion is we will, given the extent of the recovery," Ms Berejiklian said.

"So we have no illusions about how difficult the next few weeks or months will be, that is when we will need all hands on deck, including ADF support in terms of that initial cleanup and recovery stage.

"As I said, I have had quite a few conversations with the prime minister about that, I have had messages from other state governments in relation to their support which we are grateful for, but in this instance by the rain is still falling, our immediate priority is to save lives and to say property as much as possible."

Ms Berejiklian thanked the South Australian, Queensland and Victorian governments for their support to date. 

22 Mar 2021 12:20pm
NSW residents urged to 'safely' attend COVID-19 vaccine bookings
The premier has urged those residents in NSW who have booked a vaccine appointment to attend, if it is safe for them to do so. 

"There are parts of the state heavily impacted where people are stranded or have stay-at-home orders ... but other parts of the state, please know that if you have booked in to get a vaccine, it is important for you to be vaccinated," she said. 

Ms Berejiklian said all of the state's Sydney locations remain up and running. 

"If you can safely access, please continue to be vaccinated," she reiterated, adding it was important for the state to "keep functioning as much as we can during these difficult times". 

More than six million Australians are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines, as phase 1b of the national rollout kicks off today. 

You can read more about that, here: 

READ MORE

Six million Australians are now eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccine



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