A bridge in Western Sydney that was deemed 'flood-proof' proved to be no match for the torrential rain that has thrashed parts of New South Wales.
The Windsor Bridge, which was built in 2019 and cost taxpayers an eye-watering $101 million, has now been almost entirely engulfed by the flooding Hawkesbury River, leaving locals stranded on either side.
Residents watched in horror at the rising flood levels, with many taking to social media to post videos and pictures of the shocking scene.
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One Twitter user wrote: "This is so scary. I have lived in the Hawkesbury for 22 years and have never seen river levels this high.
"This is aerial vision of the new Windsor Bridge and the roundabout at Wilberforce that's completely under."
Others took aim at the government, with another user tweeting: "And, to the surprise of utterly no-one, the new Windsor bridge is now underwater.
"How good is bulldozing colonial history for a road that actually didn't fix the problem? You have to hope there's a special place in hell for NSW government ministers and bureaucrats."
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It comes after the NSW government said the new bridge would be better able to withstand the impacts of flooding.
According to Sky News, the area has seen about 40 millimetres of rainfall in the past 24 hours and could potentially see another 70 millimetres.
It comes as many suburbs around the area were warned about more potential flooding to come.
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The SES has named Bligh Park, Vineyard, Oakville, Pitt Town, Cattai, Wilberforce, Freemans Reach, North Richmond, Grose Wold, Yarramundi, Hobartville and Clarendon as the areas set to be worst hit.
On Sunday, Penrith and suburbs along the Nepean were ordered to evacuate as severe rain caused the Nepean River burst its banks.
NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott said the Australian Defence Force was being called in to help in affected areas.
The Bureau of Meteorology said residents could experience the worst flooding event in northwest Sydney since November 1961.
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For more information, residents are advised to keep tabs on the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Featured Image Credit: dean_sewell/Instagram
