The relentless downpour led to dramatic scenes in Fairfield East, where residents were forced to evacuate their homes as the streets became rivers. The State Emergency Service (SES) was inundated with over 490 calls for help, with 42 of these resulting in urgent swiftwater rescues.

Shopping center parking lots turned into pools, submerging vehicles, while roadways across the metropolitan area were impassable due to flooding. The chaos on land is now mirrored by a new concern in the water.

NSW SharkSmart has issued a cautionary alert to those venturing into the ocean and rivers. Following the heavy rainfall, there is an increased risk of shark encounters. The organization explained on Instagram, “Heavy rain can change beach and waterway conditions quickly. Freshwater and nutrient-rich runoff can reduce visibility, affecting water quality and attract baitfish – sometimes increasing shark activity.”

As the region grapples with the aftermath of the storm, both on land and at sea, authorities urge caution and awareness of these heightened risks. Safety remains the priority as the community adjusts to the challenges posed by nature’s unpredictability.

“Heavy rain can change beach and waterway conditions quickly,” it said in a post on Instagram.

“Freshwater and nutrient-rich run‑off can reduce visibility, affecting water quality and attract baitfish – sometimes increasing shark activity.”

People are urged to avoid swimming in murky or dirty waters, take extra care within 1km of river mouths and harbours, and to be cautious around baitfish, diving birds, and dolphins.

There was a rash of shark attacks after a recent series of storms along the NSW coast, one of which resulted in a young boy’s death after he was mauled at Vaucluse.

Experts at the time warned storm activity provided cover for bull sharks and lured them closer to shore and even upriver.​ ​

The rain should ease throughout the morning, with the Bureau of Meteorology cancelling a severe warning for Greater Sydney.

But flood warnings remain in place for much of outback NSW, Queensland, South Australia, and the Northern territroy.

A near-stationary tropical low system hanging over Central Australia continues to pour rain into all four states, with the heavy downpour slowly moves south.

Adelaide is next in line for a soaking, with more than 100mm forecast to fall on the city in coming hours.

Some events in the city have already been cancelled, with flash flooding expected across the metropolitan area.

Rain also continues to bucket down in dust-dry outback Queensland, with the tiny town of Birdsville, 10km from the South Australian, copping an extremely rare drenching.

It was also Queensland’s second-highest 24-hour rainfall total behind Fall Creek in the decidedly more tropical Cape York Peninsula.

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