Overview
Sydney woke up to torrential rain and thunderstorms this morning as parts of the city copped more than a month's worth of rain in an hour — it's already been the wettest November day since 1984. As a result, widespread road, train and light rail closures are still being experienced across the city. The rain has eased throughout the day but, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, things are about to ramp right back up again.
Unfortunately, that probably means bad things for your commute home. At the moment, most trains and ferries are running — however, that may only last as long as the rain holds out. Basically, the sooner you scoot out of work, the better.
At the time of publication (5.45pm), here's where the city's at with road closures and public transport delays:
- The T2, T3 and T8 Airport lines are currently experiencing delays
- Trains are delayed on T1 and buses are replacing trains between Lindfield and Hornsby due to a tree falling onto overhead wiring
- Lewisham Station on T2 has reopened after flooding earlier in the day, but trains on the line are still delayed
- Ferries between Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park have been cancelled due to the weir overflowing — you'll have to catch the bus instead
- Ferries won't be stopping at Cockatoo Island
- Light rail services between Dulwich Hill and Central have resumed
- The roads look ok at the moment, with Oxford Falls Road still closed in Frenchs Forest
The NSW State Emergency Service is urging motorists to avoid driving if possible and to not enter any flood waters, with flooding already affecting a number of roads across the city. The SES has responded to 14 flood rescues in the last 24 hours.
The NSW SES, BOM and NSW Police are working together to provide warnings across Sydney for potentially dangerous conditions, flood waters and unsafe roads. For updates, keep an eye on the BOM website.
The heavy rains have led to power outages across Sydney and the Hunter — Ausgrid have responded to thousands of customers in East Ryde, St Ives, Panania and the CBD — with flash flooding causing road, train and light rail closures and bus delays throughout the day. Glebe was basically Venice this morning and water was literally pouring out of the wall at Town Hall Woolworths.
The rain is expected to die down overnight, and weather will be back to more agreeable sunny conditions over the weekend.
For the latest updates on traffic and public transport delays and closures, head to Live Traffic NSW and Transport for NSW's official Bus and Train Twitter accounts.
Image: Live Traffic NSW.