A sense of 'deja vu' for community divided in two by floodwaters
Today large parts of Greater Sydney were on a knife's edge as half a million people were told to evacuate or be ready to leave.
A Current Affair reporter Steve Marshall told host Deborah Knight there was a feeling of anxiousness in Sydney's north-west, as he stood next to a swollen river beside Windsor Bridge.
"There's a sense of deja vu for the people that live around here," Marshall said.
A Current Affair reporter Steve Marshall beside Windsor Bridge. A Current Affair
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"It's almost like the New South Wales equivalent of living in tornado alley in the United States, given the history of flooding near this historic town of Windsor."
The reporter said the Hawkesbury River had quadrupled over the past 24 hours and it was "fast flowing and treacherous".
He said there was a huge amount of debris against the bridge railings and floodwaters had cut off the community.
The Windsor Bridge flooded. A Current Affair
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He said at midday cars were able to drive across the Windsor Bridge, but now the crossing — which was never supposed to flood — is covered in water.
"Today we saw a number of evacuations, rescues as well, as the swollen river seeps into low lying neighbourhoods, inundating homes and businesses," Marshall said.
A silver lining
Marshall said the Helping Hands charity were out organising emergency food rations for flood-stricken residents, which was a silver lining for many.
"Right now, we've got food here, people need it there, we'll do it, we'll figure it out," Helping Hands CEO, Linda Strickland said.
Helping Hands CEO, Linda Strickland. A Current Affair
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She said the floodwaters cutting off the community wouldn't stop her team from helping people.
For people impacted by flooding, there is help available.
In an emergency, phone your local SES unit on 132 500.
In life threatening situations call triple zero immediately.
GIVIT flood appeal contact details. A Current Affair
For more information about how to donate to the Australian Red Cross Flood Appeal, visit here.
For more information about how to donate to the Vinnies Flood Appeal, visit here.
And for more information about how to donate to The Salvation Army Flood Appeal, visit here.
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