Trains halted and motorists trapped as month's worth of rain dumped in parts of Sydney

A severe weather warning was issued this afternoon for Sydney, with locals being warned an “unpredictable” thunderstorm had been fuelled by humid weather and a trough in central NSW.

Milperra and Camden have been hit hard, with four cars trapped in flash flooding on the M5 off-ramp.

Nearly 30mm of rain fell in Camden in just 30 minutes, and a huge 75mm over two hours.

That’s almost a month’s worth of rain.

While the weather system eased humidity around parts of the city, the heavy rain came as commuters made their way home from work.

Train tracks on the T7 and T3 lines have been flooded, further delaying commuters.

Trains are not running between Lidcombe and Olympic Park in both directions due to flooding on the tracks at Olympic Park, with commuters told to use bus routes 525 or 526 to finish their journey.

Those trying to get a train from Sydenham to Bankstown have also been asked to use alternate transport due to flooding at Marrickville.

“Customers wanting to travel to stations between Marrickville and Bankstown will need to catch a T2 Inner West and Leppington Line service and change trains at Lidcombe,” Sydney Trains said. 

City-bound services on that line are still operational. 

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Commuters are asked to delay if possible and allow extra travel time.

The Bureau of Meteorology said a severe weather warning remains in place for western and southern Sydney.

“These thunderstorms are slow moving,” the bureau said.

“They are forecast to affect Parramatta and Wentworthville by 5.55 pm and Baulkham Hills, Pennant Hills and Toongabbie by 6.25 pm.”

“Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely,” the bureau warned.

Meteorologists said the humid weather is impacting a trough in central NSW, leading to the “unstable” thunderstorm.

The State Emergency Service has issued a warning to avoid stormwater drains, unplug electrical devices and stay indoors away from windows.

“A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Northern Tablelands and parts of the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes and Central West Slopes and Plains districts,” the bureau said.