Archive · 18 Jan 2026
Sydney Storms Cause Fatality and Flash Flooding
A woman died when a tree fell on her car during a big storm in Sydney.
The storm caused a lot of rain and wind, which made some roads flood and beaches close.
People had to be rescued from the floodwaters.
In another part of Australia, called Victoria, there was also a lot of rain and flooding.
Some people had to leave their homes because of the water.
There were also big fires in Victoria that destroyed many homes and burned a lot of land.
The floodwaters in Sydney are now going down, and people are safe.
A woman died when a tree fell on her car 90 km south of Sydney during severe storms.
A male passenger suffered minor injuries, while two rear-seat passengers were unharmed.
Severe thunderstorms caused flash flooding in northern Sydney and flight delays at Sydney Airport.
The State Emergency Service received hundreds of calls and rescued four people from floodwaters.
Beaches around Sydney were closed due to powerful swells, and people were urged to avoid walking near large waves.
Residents and holidaymakers in Narrabeen were evacuated to higher ground due to dangerous flash flooding.
Emergency crews responded to more than 1,700 incidents in New South Wales since the heavy rain hit on Saturday.
- Who
- A woman driving a car and her passengers, emergency services, residents and visitors in Sydney and Victoria
- What
- A falling tree killed a woman in her car, severe storms caused flash flooding, beach closures, and evacuations
- When
- Saturday and Sunday
- Where
- South of Sydney, New South Wales, and coastal towns in Victoria, Australia
- Why
- Severe weather conditions including strong winds, heavy rain, and intense rainfall
- Location
- 90 km south of central Sydney, New South Wales
- Time of Incident
- Shortly before 4 p.m. local time on Saturday
- Casualties
- 1 female driver killed, 1 male passenger injured, 2 rear-seat passengers uninjured
- Weather Conditions
- Severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, heavy rain, strong winds
- Emergency Response
- State Emergency Service received hundreds of calls, rescued four people from floodwaters
- Beach Closures
- Beaches around Sydney closed due to powerful swells
- Victoria Flooding
- Emergency flash flooding warning issued for coastal towns, 170 mm of rainfall recorded in Lorne
- Bushfire Impact
- 900 properties destroyed, 11 fires burning, 410,000 hectares burnt in Victoria
- Evacuation
- Residents and holidaymakers in Narrabeen evacuated to higher ground
- Incident Count
- More than 1,700 incidents responded to in New South Wales
