Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun has taken NSW Premier Mike Baird on a tour of the devastation caused by freakish storms that flooded Chipping Norton streets and cost one man his life when his car was swept away by rushing water.
Cr Mannoun said the onslaught caused by the three days of storms and torrential rain was one of the worst natural disasters Liverpool has ever known.
“My sympathies go out to everyone who was affected by the storms,” he said.
“On behalf of Liverpool Council and the councillors I want to offer my condolence to the family and friends of the man who died at Leppington when his car was caught in swirling waters.
“We also send our condolences to the family of the two other fatalities in the storms.”
Cr Mannoun said Liverpool Council’s emergency services program had responded to the disaster by offering immediate assistances to any residents affected by the overflowing of the Georges River last week-end.
The three days of torrential rain flooded parts of Rickard Road, Arthur Street, Riverside Drive, Newbridge Road and Davey Robinson Drive in Chipping Norton.
The Georges River had its biggest flood in 30 years, peaking at nearly 4.3 metres in Milperra, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Cr Mannoun said the Council Chambers adjacent to the Library in George Street had been turned into an emergency centre when Chipping Norton residents were told by the State Emergency Services to evacuate their homes.
“Council staff worked tirelessly in conjunction with Liverpool State Emergency Services, Family and Community Services, Anglicare, the Salvation Army, Red Cross, ADRA and the RSPCA to open the evacuation centre on Sunday morning,” he said. “It was a magnificent response by Council staff.
Mayor Mannoun visited the emergency centre on Sunday night, talking to residents taking shelter. “Some families chose to stay with friends or relatives but we were able to offer shelter and food to those who needed it.”