Heavy rain lashes Sydney as commuters spend hours stuck in traffic
Sydney Morning Herald
by Angus DaltonFebruary 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Heavy rain caused significant disruptions across Sydney as commuters faced hours of delays due to flash floods and closed roads. A "very dangerous thunderstorm," warned by the Bureau of Meteorology, brought life-threatening flash flooding to areas including Parramatta, Olympic Park, Fairfield, and the city center. The storm dumped over 100 millimeters of rain in just three hours, leading to traffic gridlock on major routes like the Anzac Bridge and closures of roads such as City West Link and Parramatta Road. Trains between Lidcombe and Bankstown were canceled due to flooded tracks at Regents Park.
The slow-moving storm system, described as a "slow-moving trough," brought persistent showers across Sydney, parts of the Illawarra, and the Blue Mountains. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors, with the SES issuing severe weather warnings. The downpour was expected to ease by 11pm Thursday but would continue overnight and extend into the weekend and early next week.
The storm’s impact on daily life highlighted the challenges posed by extreme weather events. Commuters faced significant disruptions, with westbound traffic backed up for hours on key routes like the Anzac Bridge. Emergency services reported difficulty responding to calls due to flooded roads, underscoring the broader societal implications of such events.
This incident underscores the growing frequency of severe weather patterns and their direct impact on urban infrastructure and daily life. As climate change continues to influence weather systems, cities like Sydney are increasingly vulnerable to extreme rainfall events, leading to transportation chaos and safety concerns for residents and travelers alike.
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/26/2026