People in Sydney’s south-west have been told to evacuate, with emergency services warning they could soon be cut off by floodwaters
, and those in nine other suburbs will receive text messages telling them to get ready to evacuate overnight.
People in Menangle, Liverpool, Milperra, Camden, North Richmond, Wallacia, Penrith, Sackville, Upper Colo and Windsor would be receiving text alerts, the SES said. Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said: “We all hope that these resources won’t be needed, but the point is that we’re making sure that we are ready if they are needed.”Watt urged everyone in NSW to take the heavy rainfall seriously, saying: “Please, if it’s flooded, forget it. Be sensible when you’re on the road, stay off the roads if you can. We’re not exactly sure how this weather event will pan out, but it could be quite serious over the next couple of days.
Cooke said there was a “very real risk” of rivers flooding, saying: “This could occur anywhere from Newcastle and down into Jervis Bay. “We may see significant spills from Warragamba Dam over the coming days, and so we are all nervously awaiting to see what eventuates,” she added.Cooke said the SES had helicopters, trucks and other assets strategically placed to ensure authorities could respond quickly if needed.“Please ensure that you prepare your properties as best you can and ... if in any doubt, please evacuate earlier. Don’t necessarily wait for us to put out an order, asking or suggesting that you leave.