A ferocious storm battered Australia’s east coast, transforming Sydney’s idyllic northern beaches into scenes of destruction with sudden flash floods and landslides. Heavy rains that began Saturday evening forced mass evacuations and claimed at least one life, underscoring the raw power of nature in New South Wales.
Northern Beaches residents faced dire warnings from the SES, particularly in Narrabeen Lagoon, where orders to evacuate came at 11 pm Saturday. Floodwaters surged rapidly, endangering numerous properties and stranding locals until rescue teams intervened.
Rescue operations tallied 25 saves by Sunday morning, primarily in Sydney’s flood-hit zones. Landslides at Great Mackerel Beach damaged three homes, while Terry Hills logged an incredible 179.6 mm of rain in just 24 hours—over four times the entire December rainfall.
In a heartbreaking incident south of Sydney, gale-force winds toppled a tree onto a moving vehicle 90 km from the CBD around 4 pm Saturday. The female driver was killed instantly; her front-seat companion sustained light injuries, but rear passengers were unscathed.
The onslaught disrupted Sydney Airport operations and flooded northern suburbs, prompting hundreds of distress calls to SES. Four additional flood rescues were completed statewide. Speaking to the ABC, Superintendent Matt Kirby painted a grim picture: unrelenting heavy rain loomed for Sydney, its northern and southern flanks through Sunday.
Kirby advised steering clear of flooded roads and risky parking spots near trees. With more rain forecast northwards, emergency leaders are mobilizing resources, urging vigilance as the crisis unfolds across this storm-ravaged region.
