Around 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as torrential rain, significant flooding and strong winds pummel western Sydney, claiming the life of one man.
Heavy rain, overflowing dams and rivers made up the perfect recipe for flash flooding, New South Wales State Emergency Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns told AM.
"We've had a pretty big 24-hours … We've had over 60 evacuation orders and also over 60 evacuation warnings have been issued covering mainly the northern and western parts of Sydney," he said.
"That's seen a population of 30,000 people impacted, or thereabouts."
It's not the first time these communities have been hit by flooding due to a fast-changing climate. The Hawkesbury-Nepean Rivers flooded in March and April this year, and in March 2021 too.
Newshub's Australian correspondent Emma Cropper told AM this flooding event could be the worst one of them all.
"You hear the odd person saying this time around that they want to move, get away from the home where they are because the floods are happening so frequently."
Cropper told AM overnight there were 111 rescue operations carried out.
"It is so unpredictable, there are so many people in harm's way here at the moment, so it is a very nervous time for everyone."
She said a man who had been kayaking died at about 2:45pm on Sunday afternoon after attempts by emergency services to rescue him.
"We're not sure if he was in flood waters or in a river area, but police tried to save him, but they got to him too late to do that."
NSW emergency services Minister Steph Cooke on Sunday urged residents to heed the warnings.
"If you were safe in 2021, do not assume you will be safe tonight. This is a rapidly evolving situation and we could very well see areas impacted that have never experienced flooding before."
Cropper told AM the Australian army is on standby following the catastrophic flooding events just a few months ago.
"They were basically plucking people off their rooftops when the flood waters rose so suddenly, so they are on standby if that needs to happen."
She said at this stage their help isn't needed, but instead, they are waiting and watching with rivers rising at a rapid rate.
The weather events have hit at a bad time for Australian children as school holidays have just begun. Cropper said authorities have issued warnings to families who were planning on visiting the area.
"One of the strongest warnings from NSW authorities was if you were planning on going on holiday anywhere around this area, was not to, to stay at home if you can, to stay away from flooded affected areas."
