Residents on Sydney's northern beaches have been ordered to evacuate their homes as a severe summer storm system batters Australia's east coast, claiming at least one life and causing widespread damage.
Emergency Warnings and Evacuations
An emergency warning was active for Sydney's northern beaches on Sunday morning, with specific instructions for people in the Narrabeen Lagoon area and its surroundings to leave immediately. The intense weather has already led to dramatic rescues, with more than a dozen people saved from perilous situations across Sydney. Numerous cars were submerged and homes inundated by floodwaters as the storm cell intensified.
Landslide, Injury, and Fatalities
The situation turned particularly dangerous at Great Mackerel Beach, located within the northern beaches region. Here, a significant landslide damaged multiple properties. At least one woman was injured in the incident, requiring emergency assistance. Tragically, the storm system proved fatal on Saturday when a tree branch fell onto a car, resulting in the death of the female driver inside.
Emergency services have been stretched to the limit responding to the crisis. The State Emergency Service (SES) received more than 800 calls for help after torrential rain lashed the state of New South Wales.
Further Severe Weather Forecast
Meteorologists warn that the severe conditions are not over. Senior meteorologist Edward Townsend-Medlock stated that more heavy rainfall was expected from Sydney's northern suburbs through to the Hunter coast on Sunday morning. He indicated that within this concentrated area, further severe thunderstorm cells—similar to those witnessed on the Central Coast—could develop, prolonging the dangerous weather event.
The community is now bracing for continued impact as cleanup and rescue operations proceed amidst the ongoing threat.
