By Dr Peter Gangemi - Mayor of The Hills Shire Council
Flood warnings have been issued for the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). The Hawkesbury River at Sackville is expected to exceed the minor flood level (4.60 m) around 9:00 am Friday(8 April 2022) morning.
The river level may reach around 5.80 metres Friday evening with minor flooding.
An Evacuation Warning has been issued for parts of Sackville North. The NSW SES is advising residents and businesses from 331-257 Mud Island Road and 118-238 and 115-257 Pages Wharf Road in Sackville North to prepare to evacuate in the next few hours.
Rain is expected to continue today, putting more pressure on our waterways. This means more risk of floods, including flash flooding.
Already we are seeing roads across the Shire closed due to water on the road, and these include:
* Wisemans Ferry Road at Cattai Creek and Little Cattai Creek in Cattai;
* Cattai Ridge Road at Cattai Creek in Glenorie;
* Blue Gum Road at Blue Gum Creek in Annangrove; and
* McClymonts Road at Cattai Creek in Maraylya.
Our Castle Hill Showground has re-opened as an animal evacuation centre for those impacted by flooding. Greater Sydney Local Land Services Officers will be on site to support evacuees and their animals. However, the care and responsibility of animals, including adequate food and water supply, as well as full supervision remains the responsibility of animal owners during their stay. To talk to the officer on the ground, contact 0447 144 076.
Sandbags are now available for collection at:
* Wiseman Ferry Inn Hotel;
* Box Hill-Nelson RFB station; and
* Glenorie RFB station.
Please bring a shovel and be prepared to fill the sandbags for your supply.
Please also continue driving to the conditions, don’t enter flood waters and follow advice and warnings from our emergency services and the SES.
I would like thank our emergency crews, RFS, SES and everyone else working in these terrible conditions. They continue to do amazing work time and again.
For emergency assistance during storms and floods, call NSW SES on 132 500 or 000 if it is a life threatening emergency.
