Warning as major dam nears capacity

Authorities have warned Warragamba Dam is expected to start spilling within hours.

WaterNSW said on Sunday evening that based on the current forecasts, the dam was likely to start a small spill within 24 hours.

“The Warragamba Dam storage level is currently at 99 per cent of capacity,” it read.

“The exact timing and volume of a spill will depend on the inflow of recent rainfall into the dam.

“Under NSW government rules, Warragamba is operated as a water security dam. This means it must at all times hold as much water as possible for Greater Sydney’s water supply, at all times.

“Stored water cannot be released.”

‘Evacuate now’: Warning as towns flood

It comes as residents in parts of NSW are being urged to evacuate or prepare to be isolated as floodwaters sweep through the state.

It comes as authorities are expected to resume their search for a 26-year-old woman swept away by floodwaters in the Hunter Valley on Saturday.

People in parts of Gunnedah and Raymond Terrace were told to evacuate on Sunday evening by the SES.

“You must evacuate now because inundation is occurring and evacuation routes will be closed due to floodwater,” one of the alerts read.

The next updates for both areas are due to be issued later on Monday.

The SES has also issued ‘watch and act’ warnings across vast segments of the Hunter Valley, and much of the Namoi Riverlands that connect Gunnedah, Narrabri and Tamworth.

Police have urged members of the public to avoid dangers and hazards like powerlines and flooded roads if they end up in flood-affected areas.

NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz said most of the damage had been caused by severe storms that swept through parts of the Hunter region, with roofs ripped from homes and fallen trees damaging cars and properties.

“So we’ve had over 1500 amazing volunteers out in the field this weekend, who have responded to over 2000 incidents,” she said.

“Some of those from the severe storms, as I mentioned, on the east coast, (and) some for the severe snow storm that we had in the Tablelands.

“And now what we’re seeing is some major flooding occurring in some areas of NSW.”

Deputy Commissioner Platz said weather conditions would ease to scattered rainfall on Monday, but rivers and catchments were very full and rising rapidly.

She urged residents to remain alert, but not alarmed.

“We are seeing the Hunter River rise very quickly and we have evacuation warnings in place for areas around the Raymond Terrace area, but we have 58 warnings in all at the moment,” she said.

Desperate search for missing woman

Authorities will resume the search for a Hunter Valley woman on Monday morning, more than 30 hours after she was swept away.

Police said the incident occurred after a Mini Countryman had attempted to drive through the floodwater before it became stuck.

“The driver – a 27-year-old woman – was rescued without any injuries; however, her passenger – a 26-year-old woman – was swept away,” Police said.

“A multi-agency search commenced for the woman including local police, NSW Rural Fire Service, and VRA Rescue NSW, and continued (on Sunday).”

The search was suspended at 4.30pm after conditions became hazardous, but is expected to have resumed by 8am on Monday.

More to come.