Canberra mops up after downpour causes flash flooding

Canberra is cleaning up today after yesterday’s drenching caused flash flooding that cut roads and inundated properties, including the Australian National University which has been forced to close the campus today and cancel all classes.

The ACT SES responded to more than 250 callouts, with four teams from the NSW SES assisting, and stormwater flooding affecting areas from Melba to Molonglo.

Canberra received 84mm of rain from about 8 am Saturday to 9 am this morning, with the heaviest falls in the north of the city. The average rainfall for February is 51.2mm.

This morning, Transport Canberra and City Services said Oaks Estate Road and Coppins Crossing remain closed to traffic. However, according to the latest update, Oaks Estate Crossing has now been reopened.

Northbourne Avenue was down to one lane southbound this morning due to a clean-up operation but TCCS has advised that all lanes have been reopened. Yesterday, the rain and flooding closed rural roads and those in Civic and the inner northern suburbs of Reid, Ainslie, Turner, and Lyneham, disrupting bus services and closing the Dickson interchange for a time. The ANU was hit particularly hard with floodwaters inundating buildings, including the basement of the Chifley Library, and the Union Court construction site.

The ANU said today’s campus closure was to ensure the safety of all students and staff as the University conducted essential safety checks on infrastructure including bridges, creek banks and electrical switchboards.

It said all classes and events on campus were cancelled today and all ANU libraries closed.

“Students should not come on to campus, and residential students should stay away from affected areas,’’ it said.

“Staff should not come on to campus unless requested by their Directors for essential work. All ANU staff should check their emails for updates from their directors and for instructions. All meetings and interviews should be rescheduled.’’

But childcare centres on campus and University House would open as usual today.

The Weather Bureau was forecasting up to 15mm rain today, with showers receding.

For more photos of the flooding go to The RiotACT‘s facebook page.