Freshwater residents weathered a tense Saturday night as severe thunderstorms and flash flooding brought emergency evacuations to neighbouring Narrabeen and widespread flooding across the Northern Beaches.
The NSW State Emergency Service issued an emergency warning at 10.41pm on Saturday 17 January for Narrabeen Lagoon and surrounds, including the Big4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park, as rapidly rising floodwaters threatened properties.
More than 60 people, including holidaymakers, were forced to evacuate to higher ground, with an evacuation centre established at Mona Vale Memorial Hall. The evacuation order was downgraded to “return with caution” by 9am Sunday morning, though floodwaters are expected to take several days to recede.
The Northern Beaches bore the brunt of the deluge, with some areas recording up to 264 millimetres of rain in 24 hours. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, areas around Pearl Beach, Great Mackerel Beach and Woy Woy received between 200 and 250 millimetres, while Sydney’s official weather station at Observatory Hill recorded 127 millimetres – the city’s wettest January day in 38 years.
The intense rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems across the region. Creeks burst their banks from Manly to Brookvale, Dee Why and Cromer, with even areas that rarely experience flooding, such as Wheeler Heights, impacted by the deluge.
At Great Mackerel Beach, the offshore community accessible only by boat saw a landslide damage three properties. Residents were accommodated locally whilst emergency services assessed the damage.
NSW SES crews, supported by Rural Fire Service members, responded to more than 1,400 incidents across the state in a 24-hour period, conducting 20 flood rescues – most involving motorists who had driven through floodwater.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Sonya Oyston warned that many roads remained closed due to flash flooding. “We’re asking the community to remain patient and make safe, sensible decisions to never drive into flooded roads,” she said.
The severe weather also claimed one life, with a woman in the Illawarra region killed when struck by a falling tree branch on Saturday.
Further north, communities including Yarramalong and Dooralong on the Central Coast were warned to prepare for isolation for 24 to 36 hours due to river rises.
Rain was expected to persist through Sunday, with the possibility of more thunderstorms along the coast north of Wollongong.
Residents are advised to stay updated through the Hazards Near Me app or visit ses.nsw.gov.au. For emergency assistance during storms or flooding, contact the NSW SES on 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).
Published 18-January-2026
