Apartment building flooded as extreme weather wreaks havoc across Sydney
Severe weather has wreaked havoc across Sydney, leaving the driver of a Maserati trapped and causing fears a building may be in danger of collapsing.
SES crews are on scene at the apartment complex on Ewart Street Marrickville, assessing the structural integrity of the building, worried there may be a possibility of it collapsing.
It is understood there is a water hole behind the building causing instability.
A spokesperson from Fire and Rescue NSW said three quarters of one building in a complex, which consists of three buildings, has been evacuated as a precaution as council engineers raised concerns about its stability.
The Urban Search and Rescue Unit from Fire and Rescue NSW has been deployed to monitor any building movement but at this stage there is no sign of damage or collapse, the spokesperson said.
Video uploaded to Twitter of water rushing into a building. Source: @bazroc25
Volunteers are on site at Ewart Street Marrickville for building threat and are working with other agencies to determine course of action.
— NSW SES (@NSWSES) February 7, 2017
The floods have also left the driver of a Maserati trapped.
The luxury car was filmed stuck in the floodwaters in Redfern in the inner-city just after 11am this morning.
A further 13 cars were also left stranded when parts of the CBD received 50mm of rain within 30 minutes on Tuesday morning.
A New South Wales SES spokeswoman said ambitious drivers were risking their own lives and the lives of the volunteers that had to come and save them.
Maserati stuck on Redfern Street in Redfern #sydneyweather pic.twitter.com/9CjD9U8IM6
— Fleur Mitchell (@flossisboss) February 7, 2017
"The water is very rapid and rising quite quickly ... if you know there is going to be a flood, pre-plan your journey rather than risking people's lives," she told 7 News Online.
Sydney CBD workers are caught in a torrential downpour as heavy rain falls across Sydney. Source: AAP
A pedestrian attempts to shield themselves from the torrential rains. Source: AAP
Not all Sydneysiders are hating the flashflooding. Source:Renny Hancock Osorasize=O
At least two murder trials were suspended at the NSW Supreme Court when the King Street building was evacuated, as water streamed down internal stairs.
The wild weather has left a large portion of Redfern without power, with as many as 700 people affected, while homes and businesses in Surry Hills are thought to have also lost power.
The flash flooding has also left another driver trapped on the corner of Parramatta Road and Flood Street, Leichhardt.
Sydney Airport travellers are being advised to check with their airlines about any disruptions, while light rail services have been cancelled between Dulwich Hill and Central due to flooding.
Time lapse of the storm hitting Sydney this morning. https://t.co/Aq67txfRua #SydneyStorm #7News pic.twitter.com/jkfehDELCh
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) February 7, 2017
Leichhardt: Flooding affecting traffic. Person trapped in a car at the corner of Parramatta Road & Flood Street. #SydneyStorm #7News pic.twitter.com/XCDL1IaFrI
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) February 7, 2017
Sydney finally got some rain pic.twitter.com/Q15hrZDJkL
— Catherine Cranston (@CatCranston) February 7, 2017
Traffic chaos across Sydney
In the west, Penrith, Parramatta and Campbelltown also experienced the full force of the storm, as did Wollongong and Port Kembla south of Sydney.
Motorists travelling across the Anzac Bridge were also experiencing major delays due to soaked roads.
#sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/YG5ZOKhfP8
— Twittems (@StephFortems) February 7, 2017
#BotanyRd #Alexandria s/b closed due to water over road just before #GreenSquare. #sydtraffic #trafficnetwork #sydneytraffic #sydneyweather pic.twitter.com/BhbflxrDqd
— Old Croaky (@OldCroaky) February 7, 2017
A Deliveroo courier was forced to work a little harder for his pay on Tuesday. Source: AAP
About noon, only one westbound lane was open approaching Victoria Road and the City West Link.
Flooding also affected a number of other roads in the western suburbs, including parts of Parramatta Road and James Ruse Drive.
The south-western suburb of Canterbury received 30mm of rain in 30 minutes.
The SES has warned pedestrians and motorists to avoid fast moving flood waters as they can be much deeper than expected.
Just a casual flash flood in Surry Hills, the office flooding because of burst storm drain! #Sydneyweather #Sydneystorms pic.twitter.com/baKRflaMjN
— Jarrad Hawkins (@jrad87) February 7, 2017
Still think playing in floodwater is a great idea?
Floodwater can pose a significant risk to you health. Stay out of it.
Rosebery, NSW pic.twitter.com/nV8o1E6WgR— NSW SES (@NSWSES) February 7, 2017
Wow !!
Great point break at #Bennelong Point today....🏄 👍
#sydneyweather#operahouse#visitNSW pic.twitter.com/G3V7xl1MFa— Rory (@WittaTwitta) February 7, 2017