2011 Wollongong floods

The 2011 Wollongong floods, beginning in March 2011, were a series of floods occurring throughout Wollongong and the Illawarra regions of New South Wales, Australia. The floods were the result of a storm cell covering most of the southern regions of the state and torrential rain in suburban Sydney and nearby regional areas.

Sixteen pre-school children and their carers were rescued at Jamberoo by the State Emergency Service.[1] Albion Park received 63 millimetres (2.5 in) of rain in the hour leading up to 1 pm on 21 March 2011.[1] A man, presumed to be in his forties, was found dead 150 kilometres (93 mi) east from a stormwater bridge as torrential rain continued fall across the Illawarra on 21 March. Dozens of people were rescued as highways were shut and trains suspended until the waters subsided.[1][2]

The Bureau of Meteorology issued flash flood warnings for the South Coast, Riverina, Illawarra, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains and Southern Tablelands, with heavy rain expected to continue.[1][3] In the first 48 hours of the flood (20–21 March) 160 millimetres (6.3 in) of rain has fallen in Wollongong. Robertson in the Southern Highlands recorded the state's highest rainfall on 21 March with 83 millimetres (3.3 in) equalling the March record for 2003.[2]

The Princes Highway was closed around Station Street, Albion Park and at Kiama after a tree fell and blocked the road. The Southern Freeway was closed at Berkeley and the Illawarra Highway was also closed.[3]