Evacuations were being ordered in parts of Sydney overnight as “very dangerous thunderstorms” stretched across hundreds of kilometres of the NSW coast.
People at Narrabeen Lagoon and surrounds, including the BIG4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park, on the Northern Beaches were being told to evacuate before 11.30pm.
“You must evacuate before this time because floodwaters are rapidly rising and may impact properties,” the NSW government’s HazardWatch said.
Storms have stretched across huge parts of NSW all day. (Nine)Beaches across the NSW coast being belted by enormous waves. (Sydney Morning Herald)
“You should evacuate to stay with family, friends, or alternate accommodation in areas unaffected by flooding
“If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you, and buildings may not be able to withstand the impact of flood water.”
Millions of people were being told to stay indoors overnight as “very dangerous thunderstorms” stretched across Sydney, Gosford, Wollongong, Campbelltown, Morisset and Wyong.
HazardWatch put out a watch and act alert just before 9.30pm.
The Manly Ferry braving the rough conditions. (Nine)A stomach-churning journey as the intense weather whips up brutal swell in the harbour. (Nine)
“Move or stay indoors clear of windows, bringing children and pets with you,” the warning said.
“If you must travel, consider the consequences of road conditions and closures and make alternate arrangements for work, children, and travel.
“Use stairs instead of lifts in severe weather. You may become trapped if the power goes out.”
The Bureau of Meteorology warned very dangerous thunderstorms were “likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding”.
The storms were moving towards the north-west, Hazard Watch said.
At Pearl Beach, 133 millimetres of rain was recorded in the two hours to 3.43pm.
At Ettalong, 93.5 millimetres was recorded in just one hour to 2.22pm.
Another 67 millimetres was recorded at Cronulla South in the two hours to 5.35pm.
People are being urged to stay out of the water over the weekend. (Sydney Morning Herald)Some parts of NSW were drenched with hundreds of kilometres in rain in just a few hours. (Nine)
There have been hundreds of calls for help on a day of violent weather.
One of three rescued campers had hypothermia when police and the SES retrieved them from Geehi in Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains on Friday night.
Across the state, SES volunteers have responded to hundreds of weather-related jobs, particularly in the South Coast, Illawarra, Sydney and Hunter regions.
Volunteers helped several people trapped in their cars as flash flooding hit Albion Park, Picton and Marulan in the Southern Highlands.
NSW SES Superintendent Matt Kirby reminded people to put safety first.
“This weather can produce heavy rainfall and strong winds, so we remind people not to drive through floodwaters and be wary of where you park your vehicles as tree branches can fall at any time,” Kirby said.
“Download the Hazards Near Me app to stay up to date with any warnings that have been issued.”
Heavy rain has already drenched parts of the state in the worst storm of the summer.
In Moruya, almost 200 millimetres of rain fell in the 48 hours to 9am on Saturday.
Waves at some NSW beaches are forecast to reach five metres in height. (Nine)
It was warned that the slow-moving pressure system could bring up to 120 millimetres of rain in some parts of the NSW coast over 24 hours.
Heavy rain and damaging winds were likely to continue in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
Severe thunderstorms were also likely across the Central Coast and Mid North Coast regions.
