Heavy rain and storms hit Sydney causing commuter chaos - The Sydney Morning Herald

Anzac Bridge reopened

By Sarah Keoghan

Anzac Bridge has been reopened after westbound lanes were closed this morning due to flooding.

Diversions onto Pyrmont Bridge Road have also been lifted, but traffic remains very heavy.

Vehicles driving slowly on water logged Bridge Road, Glebe.Credit:Louise Kennerley

Pittwater Road has also reopened southbound at Epping Road, as well as Parramatta Rd which has also been reopened in both directions after earlier closures.

Roads continue to be closed across the city, with Eastern Valley Way in Castle Cove currently closed in both directions due to a fallen tree and wires.

Oxford Fall Road is also closed between Wakehurst Parkway and Avoona Road.

Further south, the Illawarra Highway remains closed at Macquarie Pass in both directions due to the flooding.

South coast school closed after storm damage

A school on the south coast has partially closed today after the school suffered storm damage.

A Department of Education spokesman said when staff at Bomaderry High School discovered the storm damage, they asked parents to keep their children home if possible.

The school is open, but with minimal supervision, the spokesman said.

Police angered by 'idiotic' motorists

By Sarah Keoghan

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy urged motorists to slow down after incidences of “idiotic driving” through flooding.

Motorists were seen speeding and driving through deep flood waters this morning, as well as an overlength truck attempting to enter Glaston Gorge in Sydney’s north.

“It doesn’t make any sense at all,” he said. “We don’t want to send a message by having someone die.”

Police have urged people to stay home if possible and avoid peak hour traffic areas this afternoon.

“Delay your journey or continue to work from home this afternoon,” he said. “It’s not over yet and it’s predicted to get worse.”

One dead, two injured after flood incidents: police

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said police want people to work from home today, as the wild weather makes road conditions dangerous.

He confirmed one person has died after a crash at Thornleigh this morning.

Assistant Commissioner Corboy said people should not drive through flood water.Credit:Dean Lewins

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash at The Esplanade about 9.10 this morning, and found a male passenger had died at the scene. The two male drivers were taken to Westmead in a stable condition, where they will both undergo mandatory testing.

"It’s tragic. We do not want any further tragedies today," the assistant commissioner said.

Two police officers were also injured while assisting people who had driven into floodwater, he said.

The female officer had a "severely broken leg" which would require rehabilitation.

Mr Corboy said people should never drive through flood water.

"We’re out there doing our best for you, so do your best for us," he said.

Police are investigating the Thornleigh crash, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Flood warning for Cooks River

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood warning for the Cooks River at Tempe, with rainfall of up to 170 millimetres possible.

Homes inundated by flooding

A home in Sydney's lower North Shore has been flooded as rain continues to pelt Sydney.

James Gleeson said water began pouring through the dog door at his home in Cammeray about 7am.

"I ran downstairs and noticed the water outside was a metre high," he said.

He said his stepdad had to hold the dog door shut so water wouldn't flood the entire house.

One of our senior writers, Deborah Snow, has had to sandbag her house to prevent floodwater from entering.

Two police officers injured in flash flood

By Sarah Keoghan

Two police officers have been injured after a tree fell on them while they were helping motorists during flash flooding.

Police were called to Pittwater Road about 6.50am after reports of a trapped vehicle in flood water.

The officers were clearing the road when a tree fell on the police and the vehicle.

A female officer was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious but stable condition with a suspected broken leg, while a male officer sustained minor injuries and is being assessed for a possible concussion.

Buses delayed by more than an hour across the city

There are major bus delays across the city, with delays of up to 70 minutes on a number of services.

Services with those major delays include Chatswood, Netural Bay and Mosman services, the Homebush, Strathfield, Drummoyne, and Rozelle buses, and Randwick, Kensington, Alexandria, Beaconsfield, Zetland and Macquarie Park services.

Buses in the CBD are also delayed by up to 45 minutes.

Trains delayed, ferries affected

More trains have been affected by the bad weather across the city.

Lewisham station has been closed so no T2 trains are stopping, and passengers are being advised to allow extra travel time on the T1 North Shore, Northern and Western Line, the T2 Inner West and Leppinton Line, the T3 Bankstown Line and the T8 Airport and South Line.

Parramatta River ferries are still not running between Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park, and Cockatoo Island Wharf is closed with no ferries stopping there.

Power restored in the CBD

By Sarah Keoghan

Power has been restored to 1300 customers after businesses and homes in Sydney’s CBD were hit with power outages about 7am due to thunderstorms.

About 300 customers in the CBD are still without power, with Ausgrid crews still working to restore power to Ryde, North Ryde, St Ives, North Turramurra, Marsfield, and Blue Haven on the Central Coast.

Power outages are still affecting 5200 customers.