The wild weather that’s been thrashing NSW for the past couple of days is still going strong, with more bad weather expected before the sun returns.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Spirit, which was supposed to dock in Sydney yesterday morning, continued to sail off the coast near Sydney yesterday and overnight as weather conditions eased, before finally arriving this morning at 10am.

Last night, the Port Authority had confirmed that Sydney port would not reopen, with the ship finally able to bring its 2500 passengers into Circular Quay after a 12-night cruise to New Cal, Vanuatu and Fiji.

Guests travelling on the ship’s next cruise – a seven-night voyage to Noumea and Isle of Pines – will embark later today for the ship’s departure at 7pm.

Carnival Spirit’s scheduled arrival was delayed when severe weather forced the closure of Sydney’s port and prevented the Harbour Pilot from boarding the ship, whose presence onboard is necessary to sail into Sydney Harbour.

Carnival Cruise Line’s vice president for Australia Jennifer Vandekreeke thanked the cruise line’s guests for their patience over the past day.

“While this delay was unavoidable given the Harbour’s closure, we greatly appreciate the good cheer and understanding our guests have shown,” she said.

Over at Sydney Airport, travellers have been advised that some international flights have been diverted, while domestic delays of up to an hour can be expected due to the wild weather.

The airport also said to allow extra travel time on the South Line and Airport Line due to a fallen tree on the line at Wolli Creek and flooding at Marrickville earlier.

Some int’l flights diverted, domestic delays of up to an hour. Check with airlines for flight info. #SydneyStormpic.twitter.com/43gsY3FE49

— Sydney Airport (@SydneyAirport) April 21, 2015

 

Sydney Airport has advised passengers that they are not closed, and to check with airlines for the latest flight details, as well as allowing extra time for travel to the airport.

A number of domestic flights were cancelled yesterday as a result of the severe storms and cyclonic winds, with upwards of 15 flights into and out of Sydney aborted. Already there have been both domestic and international flight cancellations.

Additional resources in place @SydneyAirport to minimise disruption for passengers. Pls allow extra time for your journey #SydneyStorm

— Sydney Airport (@SydneyAirport) April 21, 2015

And while Scenic had called in their staff to go home in both Sydney and its Newcastle reservations Headquarters yesterday, they are expected to reopen today.

But the worst isn’t over yet, with the SES saying a severe storm battering parts of the Central Coast and northern Sydney is expected to continue for hours before easing this afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology says gale force winds are expected in coastal regions from the Illawarra to the Hunter region, including Sydney, while rain could be even heavier than yesterday before conditions ease later in the day.

The State Government has also urged people to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.

“It’s obviously a very difficult situation we’re all facing at this time, and anything we can do to minimise travel we’re urging people to do so,” New South Wales Roads and Transport Minister Andrew Constance said.

Ferries have resumed between Circular Quay and Manly today, after the Harbour Master shut down operations yesterday because of rough conditions around the Heads.

The timetable today will depend on how steady those ferries can be kept at Manly Wharf.

Flooding at Sydney Airport