Major delays on Sydney roads after flash flooding
Sydney motorists are facing major congestion on their roads after severe showers caused flash flooding and shut down lanes across the city this afternoon.
However, the Bureau of Meteorology has cancelled a severe thunderstorm warning for Sydney and Illawarra, as a coastal trough heads down towards Wollongong.
But the heavy rain has left Canterbury with 36.2mm of rainfall, Sydney Airport with 31.8mm and Bankstown with 29.4mm since 9am today.
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Parts of Sydney were inundated with flash flooding. Nine
Heavy rainfall has caused chaos on Sydney roads, causing major delays and traffic. Nine
The downpour caused flash flooding on the M5 in Hammondville, where traffic is queued up until King Georges Road in Beverly Hills, and Arncliffe Street in Wolli Creek.
Cars were seen tyre-deep in waters at Wolli Creek, with the SES called in to rescue one couple from their water-logged car.
Some of the storm drains were also blocked with debris, increasing the level of flood waters.
Botany Road in Alexandria and Tower Road in Bankstown were forced to close earlier today due to flash flooding and have since reopened.
Motorists around these areas are, however, warned to expect continued delays and to drive with caution.
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Heavy rainfall that earlier smashed Sydney has since eased. Weatherzone
Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in Wolli Creek this afternoon. Louise Kennerley/ The Sydney Morning Herald
Elsewhere in the state, parts of the Northern Tablelands saw up to 35mm of rainfall, the Hunter Region saw up to 23.6mm and Illawarra saw up to 23mm.
New South Wales' SES warned residents to keep clear of fallen power lines, creeks and storm rains and to not walk or drive through flood water.
The Bureau of Meteorology will continue to monitor storm conditions as light showers are expected into the evening.
The heavy rain comes off the back of about two days of wet weather, which soaked eastern, central and northern parts of New South Wales.
Sydney was smashed with up to 80mm while Sydney Airport recorded its highest rain in two months of 39mm yesterday, according to Weatherzone.
About 864,000 lightning strikes were recorded in the city and as far as the Queensland and Victorian borders in that time.
Sydney is anticipated to see wet weather for the remainder of this week until conditions finally clear by the weekend.
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