NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the number of flood warnings in the state has risen to 63 amid heavy rainfall, with flash flooding expected particularly in the western regions.

Perrottet said overnight heavy rainfall is expected across the state. He also said many dams in the state are full already from rain earlier this year, meaning it is much easier flash flooding.

“We do have rivers, we do have dams that are completely at capacity, so it doesn’t take a heavy rainfall to necessarily create flash flooding across our state,” Perrottet said.

“We expect everybody to continue to be cautious if those flood warnings are in place. Please continue to follow instructions, and be prepared.

“The best thing that we can do, as a state and as a people, is to continue to follow those instructions, be careful on the roads, don’t drive through floodwaters and just be aware of the challenging circumstances that are in front of us. As I said earlier, don’t let your past experience guide the present situation.