Warragamba Dam, Sydney, Critical at 98.7% Full - Expected to Spill Friday or Saturday
The Warragamba Dam level is currently at a critical 98.7% full level according to SCA reports, 2pm, Friday, 2 March 2012. Recent updates expect the dam to spill either later today, Friday, or over the weekend. Current inflows to Warragamba Dam are 163,000 megalitres per day.
Once the Dam overflows, the water will travel down the Warragamba River before it reaches the Nepean and Hawkesbury rivers, which were already swollen because of the continuous rain.
People from caravan parks and low-lying areas between Wisemans Ferry and Windsor are advised to prepare for evacuation anytime today.
Road closures are expected when the Dam spills. Some residents were asked to stay home within the next 24 hours.
Presently, the Princess Highway was blocked trapping 367 people in Towamba.
People from some parts of Queanbeyan, areas close to Jerrara Dam western Kiama and Hawkesbury River were also urged to prepare for moving out.
Meanwhile, car accidents have increased due to the wet weather. Paramedics received several calls for emergencies that resulted from vehicle accidents across NSW.
From 12 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. today, paramedics responded to 39 car accidents including 12 in southern NSW and 18 in Sydney.
The Ambulance Service of NSW reported they have been responding to, treating and transporting a lot of people injured from road accidents.
The heavy rainfall is hindering the vision of the driver and causing roads to be dangerous because of the wet and slippery surface. Everyone was asked to slow down and be more cautious with driving.
Within the last three days, more than a thousand have been urged to move out of their houses in Cooma, Bega, Goulburn and Cowra.