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National
Carla Hildebrandt, Heath Parkes-Hupton and Paulina Vidal

Thousands of greater Sydney residents affected by flood evacuations

Aerial vision of flooding in Camden

More than 2,000 people remain affected by evacuation orders across Sydney, with some residents forced to leave their homes for the second time this month. 

South-west of Sydney, in the town of Cobbity, a man's body was recovered at about 1pm after his vehicle was found submerged in floodwaters.

The man has been identified as 68-year-old, Tony Ikin.

The father-of-two was reported missing at about 7:55am and the white van he was driving was found shortly after.

Friend Robert Zammit said Mr Ikin was a hospital worker who also bred dogs and was on his way to the Easter Show.

"I was so shocked when I got the news this morning," Mr Zammit said.

"I'm at the Royal Easter Show, I knew Tony was entered and I knew he was coming out today, so I was looking forward to seeing.

"So he would have left very, very early it would have been dark when he left."

The body of the 68-year-old man was recovered just before 1pm on Friday. (ABC News: Jake Lapham)

Mt Zammit said the creek where he was found was a known hot-spot. 

"He knew the creek was there and he would have been cautious about it," he said.

"But these waters at the moment, we've never had rain like this. It's horrendous".

An investigation into how he died is underway as police continue their efforts to remove the van, which is stuck in floodwaters.

Since January, there have been 13 flood-related deaths across the state.

The deluge that saw Sydney reach its yearly average rainfall in less than four months on Thursday had eased on Friday but not the flood warnings for saturated catchments. 

About 10 evacuation orders remained in place at 10pm Friday, impacting about 1,200 residents. While at least another 1,500 people were subject to warnings.

Tony Ikin was found dead in his car in floodwaters in the town of Cobbitty, south-west of Sydney. (ABC News )

Low-lying areas, including parts of Camden, Gronos Point and Chipping Norton were among those on flood watch.

For the second time in just a month, the Windsor Bridge closed in both directions from 9.30pm.

People on the west side were able to cross the bridge to evacuate for a couple of hours before it shut. 

State Emergency Service (SES) Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey said while the flood levels had not been as high as previous weather events, people in those areas needed to stay vigilant.

"We're expecting those river levels to peak," he said.

"Some have peaked over the course of today, with other peaks expected overnight and into tomorrow morning," Mr Storey said.

"So as the weekend progresses, we're hoping to see those river levels start to drop.

"And hopefully we'll be able to lift those evacuation orders and the evacuation warnings as soon as it's safe to do so."

The Windsor Bridge will close for the second time in just a month. (ABC News: Helena Burke)
NSW SES says roughly 2000 people are affected by the current evacuation orders

He thanked the community for its co-operation in heeding warnings during what he described as a "very tough few months".

"The number of communities affected is quite substantial," he said.

"And we've seen the devastation that took place a few weeks ago in the north of the state.

"So it is heartbreaking. It's been a very tough storm season, one of the toughest in recent memory for the SES."

This afternoon residents in the low-lying areas of Woronora and Bonnet Bay — the first to be told to leave their homes on Thursday morning — were given the all clear.

Orders have also been lifted in: parts of Chipping Norton, Newbridge Road between Riverside Road and east to Georges River, Davy Robinson Drive, Rickard Road and Arthur Street.

Earlier, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet also acknowledged the "significant risk" for flood-affected residents. 

He said despite the severe weather events over the last few months, "very few" lives had been lost, which he said was a reflection of people listening to emergency service personnel.

Residents along the Hawkesbury River are urged to stay alert to rising water. (Facebook: Zac Ahrens)
SES Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey says the flood devastation has been heartbreaking. (ABC News)

Flood Recovery Minister Steph Cooke urged drivers to be cautious of fast-moving water and debris left on roads. 

"Please take care when you're on our roads, whether it is the risk of flash flooding or whether it's the risk of debris being left behind by some of the flash flooding that we have seen over the past 24 hours," she said.

It is the second time Camden has been inundated in a month, with businesses and residents still grappling with the fallout from the previous event.

Local Peter Harvey said being hit with another flood so soon was "heartbreaking" for the community.

"I feel sorry for the local businesses … they've been working hard, cleaning up, and then this come up again out of nowhere."

Mr Harvey said Camden's position in a flood plain meant it was constantly at the mercy of mother nature but believes accelerating development in the area might be contributing to flood levels.

"There's lots development going on and lots of run-off," he said.

"I think it's a good wake-up call for developers. And the people who buy them houses who aren't local and aren't familiar with the area get caught out."

A couple stand near flooding at a petrol station in Camden.  (ABC News: Jake Lapham )

Dam could spill for two weeks

Higher-than-average yearly rainfall, driven by a La Niña system set to continue for the remainder of April, was also recorded in Marrickville, Collaroy, Penrith and Warragamba.

And Water NSW says Warragamba Dam could spill for about two weeks, causing issues for nearby residents with catchments already full. 

Mr Storey urged people to continue to heed warnings, particularly those travelling during the school holidays.

"A key message to anyone hitting away is to monitor the road conditions," he said.

"Live traffic.com is a great way to plan your trip. If you're travelling to or through some of those flood-affected areas, be cautious, be vigilant and never drive through floodwaters.

"If it's flooded, turn around and find another way."

Chipping Norton residents were among those ordered to leave their homes. (ABC News)
The weather bureau warns river levels will continue to rise in coming days. (ABC News)
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