News

Wild storms batter city

HUGE electrical storms and torrential rain battered Sydney on Friday, leaving thousands without power, toppling trees and even bringing down a crane cancelling train services across the network.

Thankfully the absence of further predicted rain over the weekend, allowed time for Bankstown and Canterbury SES teams to get on with the huge mop up and repairs.
With a Cooks River flood warning in place until Sunday, Canterbury SES received 89 jobs and had three storm teams in the field, while Bankstown SES had 80 callouts from April 4 to 8.
Canterbury SES Commander Chris Nelson said they were busy with flood rescues on Saturday, mainly in Earlwood and Wylie Park.
“There was also quite a bit of flooding in apartment building car park basements throughout Canterbury,” he said.
Bankstown SES Commander David Niven said the Georges River peaked to 2.8m at Milperra Bridge at 1pm on Saturday and members worked all through Friday night to ensure urgent jobs were completed.
“Bankstown SES members also assisted crews from Penrith and Auburn units to round up 21 sheep well into the dark on Saturday night between flood waters and a major road,” he said.
“We also helped Liverpool unit with evacuation doorknocks in Chipping Norton East.”
He said Friday and Saturday were crazy, busy days with the clean up continuing into Sunday.
With more rain, although not as much, expected yesterday, he urged the community to stay alert to emergency warnings.
“We were very lucky, it could have been much worse,” he said.
“Though the rain has subsided for now, we urge residents to remain vigilant and keep an eye on the rising river levels.”
For emergency assistance in storms and floods, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).