Residents in parts of Windsor,Richmond,Sackville and Pitt Town are among the regions declared a reduced threat by the SES,who at about 10pm on Sunday gave the all-clear for residents to return,with caution.
The Bells Line of Road,connecting Richmond to North Richmond over the Hawkesbury River,is closed with tree and other debris covering the bridge. It was fully submerged when the river reached its peak of 10.52 metres at 9pm on Saturday.
The emergency service issued evacuation orders for suburbs along the Hawkesbury River early Sunday morning,warning of moderate to major flooding across the region.
But flooding was not as high as predicted in most of the region. NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday said the government estimated about 30 homes had been inundated.
SES commissioner Carlene York said residents’ adherence to the evacuation orders was strong.
“All too often we put out these messages and people aren’t hearing them,or abiding by some of the messages,” she said on Sunday. “People have listened,they have prepared,and they have done what we’ve asked them to,particularly for these evacuation[orders].”