Nepean River forecast to exceed 1988 levels as flash flooding in Sydney forces evacuations

Loftus Creek, which flows into the Woronora River in Woronora, spills its banks on Thursday morning as local residents brace for high tide and more rain. A flash-flooding warning has been issued for coastal parts of the state as severe weather continues. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Residents in parts of Sydney’s south were ordered to evacuate their homes on Thursday with severe storms across the eastern part of New South Wales causing major flooding.

In Camden, numerous rescues were carried out on Thursday afternoon as the Nepean River burst its banks, with at least five people retrieved by State Emergency Service boats, footage aired on the Nine Network showed.