Flood Watch - Hawkesbury -Nepean Rivers

[blk6t]

Not sure if the right area to post in (mods feel free to move if required).

For those members on here (me included) who live on the western side of the Hawkesbury River, North Richmond and Windsor bridges may be closed this Thursday and Warragamba Dam may finally be opened due to full capacity.

The dam only has capacity for 80mm, its forecasted that the southern tablelands which feed into Warragamba will receive 100-200mm over the next 2 days.

This will mean for me and the other locals that we will be cut off from Sydney, unless we drive to Mt Victoria and come down through Penrith. This also means I may have to stay home as I work in Sydney...damn

http://www.hawkesburygazette.com.au/...y/2469599.aspx

It's been along time since a big flood has hit the Hawkesbury, last big one was 1992.

Fingers crossed the rain falls short.

[Miss_XR6]

Was released yesterday have family that live right on the river there..... From the alert they got yesterday it was only if the rain we get in sydney or windsor is hit hard with big downfalls it will be cut off

[blk6t]

That was the initial warning, however the Sydney Catchment Authority indicated this morning that the dam only required 80mm of rain within the next 2 days to reach capacity, the rain forecasted to fall is expected to be 200mm or more within the next 2 days.

[The Yeti]

And they said it wouldnt rain again and sydney needed a desalination plant

top work flanary

I'm on the east side of the river but I recon the bottom 1/2 of my block will go under if they have to open the dam, (accorning to the people next door we didnt have an issue in the late 80's 90's when they opend it last time)

[Mechan1k]

Was only in the area for about 5-6 years ... and only remember seeing Windsor bridge get closed once in that time.

Always had the causeway on Tennyson Rd flood on the odd occasion.

Kinda glad that I'm not in the area. As driving up to Mt Vic via Bells during that sort of weather isn't fun really.

Post some pics if it does come up though.

I'd say Londonderry will go under again if it is that bad.

So far though the rain hasn't been that heavy ... all depends on Warragamba's height. It's at 88.5% capacity at the moment

[AC]

Doesnt really look to bad right now.

I'll be keeping a watchful eye on it.

[blk6t]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

And they said it wouldnt rain again and sydney needed a desalination plant

top work flanary

I'm on the east side of the river but I recon the bottom 1/2 of my block will go under if they have to open the dam, (accorning to the people next door we didnt have an issue in the late 80's 90's when they opend it last time)

Good to see another Hawkesbury local on here.

It's weird crossing the bridge knowing that in 24-48 hours it could be under water.

It's still amazing that in 2012 there is still no new bridge in the Hawkesbury, there are alot of people on the western side (like myself) who will be stranded. There is always talk of a new bridge being built at Windsor.

[z80]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

And they said it wouldnt rain again and sydney needed a desalination plant

top work flanary

I'm on the east side of the river but I recon the bottom 1/2 of my block will go under if they have to open the dam, (accorning to the people next door we didnt have an issue in the late 80's 90's when they opend it last time)

Yeah climate change is the biggest load of crap.
damn...where's all this rain coming from?

[Miss_XR6]

The heavy downfalls have just hit camden and surrounding areas with a bit into the dam and pushing its way up to sydney..... If it stays down south like it has been hopefully it shouldnt be to bad

[blk6t]

That's the problem, it's rain getting into the dam.

We need to see the rain to stay away from the dam which looking at the radar on BOM, it's pouring into the dam, all the dam needs is less than 88mm of rain and then all gates will be opened.

My wifes relatives who own turf farms along the river have been warned this morning to consider relocating and to start securing machinery.

[Peter B - CV8]

I would question why they haven't already released some water over the past week - given the current capacity & forecast heavy falls. Wouldn't it be better to do this, rather than dump the water into an already swollen river & aggravate the flooding situation....

[bradzo66]

Haha , that would be common sense , not too common amongst the authorities ......Ive just moved from Kurrajong to the east side , but my mechanics are all west of the bridges ....hahaha

[Miss_XR6]

Common sense when it comes to rain and possible floods never happens....

And with the dam being our major supply of water and the prospect of another drought hitting in the next 3-5 yrs they prob think the less they get rid of the better in the long run

[AC]

Originally Posted by z80

Yeah climate change is the biggest load of crap.
damn...where's all this rain coming from?

Sums it up.

http://www.weatherchannel.com.au/wea...ly-update.aspx

Moist air from the Coral Sea and Indian Ocean will converge this week over Australia and link with a trough to cause heavy rain and thunderstorms over central and southeast parts of the country. 24 hour totals may hit 100mm over southern and western NSW and northern SA, enough to cause flash flooding.

The rain and storms will stall over New South Wales and central Australia until at least Sunday. Daily rain will exceed 100mm in some regions but with rain continuing through the week weekly totals should easily climb above 100mm across the western and southern NSW, northern South Australia and the southern Northern Territory. Southeast NSW should even see over 300mm.

River flooding will develop and a flood watch is in force for northern SA, Alice Springs and the southern half of NSW, including the Nepean and Hawksberry rivers. Warragamba should lift to 100% from the rain for 1st time since 1998.

Rain on the tropical QLD coast will gradually ease this week as onshore winds ease but widespread tropical showers and thunderstorms will persist near a weak monsoon trough.

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by Miss_XR6

Common sense when it comes to rain and possible floods never happens....

And with the dam being our major supply of water and the prospect of another drought hitting in the next 3-5 yrs they prob think the less they get rid of the better in the long run

Doesnt matter if we have another drought weve got the

(incert super hero type intor music here)

the DE Sal plant!!!!!!!!

[z80]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

Doesnt matter if we have another drought weve got the

(incert super hero type intor music here)

the DE Sal plant!!!!!!!!

Victorians have the biggest.

after all...size is everything...

[The Yeti]

LOL you win

[Miss_XR6]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

Doesnt matter if we have another drought weve got the

(incert super hero type intor music here)

the DE Sal plant!!!!!!!!

That plant is a waste of money

[Miss_XR6]

UPDATE for you guys living in the Hawksbury

They have just issued a evacuation warning for anyone in the Pitt Towe, Hobartville areas and the evacuation order will come in place as early as early hours of tomorrow morning.

[blk6t]

Just read the same, the gates are due to open tonight which means both bridges in the Hawkesbury will be under water tomorrow sometime.

Looks like i'm staying home tomorrow, i've got plenty of beer so no probs.

That means the only way up the blue mountains is via Penrith.

[The Yeti]

what a shame, you have to stay home on a friday

[The Yeti]

http://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/news/2011/...rning-richmond

I assume this is the same warning miss xr6 was quoting

[Miss_XR6]

^^^ Yep same warning......... A few of the older residents have had door knocks by the SES for them to get out today

[Mechan1k]

The turf farms will definitely be under.
Probably a good thing I'm not in East Kurrajong anymore ... the drive out there during bad weather was not fun.

[Miss_XR6]

If the gates open between now and 1am it will hit Yarramundi first around 8am or so..... The people in the turf areas were door knocked today

[AC]

I don't finish work till 6am, hopefully the bridges will still be open.
Otherwise it's the scenic route home....

[Mechan1k]

That'll add a good hour and a half to 2 hours to your trip.

[AC]

Well, the river is up at Windsor Bridge, but not heaps... But is noticeably up.

I think once they release Warragamba, it'll go under quick.

[Miss_XR6]

The dam has just clicked over 98m and rising at a steady rate
Gates open at 100m so if this rain plus the water running into the dam keep up the gates could open before dinner time

The bottom of the dam gates is suppose to slow the water flow but I went to Richmond last night and the river is so swollen already I dont think it will go as slow as they predict

[Mechan1k]

Last I heard was that they were going to hold off until late tonight to open it up.