Sydney Hit by Severe Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding, Causing Widespread Disruption

Sydney was affected by severe thunderstorms and flash flooding on Thursday evening, leading to extensive disruptions across the metropolitan area. The event resulted in power outages for thousands of homes and businesses, numerous flood rescues, and significant traffic congestion. Emergency services responded to hundreds of calls for assistance throughout the affected period.

The event resulted in power outages for thousands of homes and businesses, numerous flood rescues, and significant traffic congestion.

Event Overview

A severe thunderstorm system moved across Sydney beginning around 5:30 PM on Thursday. The storm brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, hail, and lightning strikes, causing flash flooding in various suburbs.

Rainfall and Wind

Rainfall totals varied across the region. Lidcombe recorded over 104 millimeters within a three-hour period, while Canterbury received 69 millimeters. Bankstown Airport reported approximately 67 millimeters, and Campbelltown registered 39 millimeters. Wind gusts reached up to 80 kilometers per hour in some areas.

Impact on Infrastructure

Power Outages

Initially, over 11,750 homes and businesses across Endeavour Energy and Ausgrid service areas experienced power loss. By Friday morning, approximately 5,600 properties remained without power, with about 600 from Endeavour Energy and 5,000 from Ausgrid. Crews worked overnight to restore services, primarily in north-western suburbs such as Dural, Sackville, and Glenwood, and southern suburbs including Arncliffe, Banksia, and Rockdale.

Roads and Transport

Flash flooding caused major road closures in the inner west, affecting City West Link at Haberfield, Parramatta Road at Homebush, and Raw Square at Strathfield. This contributed to traffic congestion during the evening commute. Transport services, which experienced delays on Thursday evening, resumed normal operations by Friday morning.

Emergency Response

The State Emergency Service (SES) and other emergency services received over 490 calls for assistance since the rainfall began, including 40 flood rescues within a three-hour period.

Specific incidents included:

• A tree falling on a house in Hornsby, temporarily trapping an occupant who was uninjured. Fire and Rescue NSW and SES responded, noting the presence of live power lines.
• A shopping center in Campbelltown experiencing some flooding.
• Approximately a dozen homes being evacuated in Fairfield, Western Sydney, due to flooding. Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone stated that local parks, designed as detention basins, were observed filling to hold floodwater.

Meteorological Context and Outlook

The storm was attributed to cold polar air from Antarctica interacting with warm, humid March air. The Bureau of Meteorology canceled its severe weather warning for the immediate event, indicating conditions were expected to ease. However, warnings remain in effect for Friday as a coastal low is anticipated to intensify, with forecasts suggesting the potential for the coldest March day in decades for the state's south-east.