Severe weather warning for torrential rain and flooding across NSW

Up to 250mm is expected to drench the south coast within 24 hours in a repeat of last weekend’s weather system.

A severe weather warning has been issued for several parts of NSW on Thursday with isolated accumulations of up to 250mm possible within 24 hours on the state’s south coast. 

Residents in the Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands have been urged to monitor conditions with the torrent of rain increasing the risk of riverine and flash flooding. 

“There are some moderate flood watches for a number of rivers near and inland of Sydney, including the Hawkesbury and lower Nepean rivers, the upper Nepean River and the Colo River,” Senior Meteorologist Angus Hines said.

“More broadly, there are a number of other minor flood watches for the south coast, around the likes of the Shoalhaven River, the Moruya River, the Clyde River and around the Illawarra coast as well.” 

The warning has SES crews poised for flash and life-threatening flooding.

The areas likely to see the heaviest rain are in the yellow zone. Picture: BOM

For the south coast, six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 90mm are likely with isolated totals of 120mm possible on the windward ranges. 

And 24-hour rainfall totals are expected to fall between 100mm and 150mm, with isolated totals of 250mm.

Sydney is in for another drenching. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Rain kicked in late on Wednesday night for several parts of NSW with 140mm of downpour recorded in places south of Wollongong and the southern half of the Illawarra. 

Approximately 10mm fell in Sydney overnight but totals are another 60mm will possibly hit the harbour city throughout Thursday. 

Temperatures in Sydney today will hit a maximum of 18 C and a low of 12 C. 

While conditions are expected to ease during Friday morning as the trough moves south, the system is still developing so residents have been told to check the BOM and SES warnings pages for live updates. 

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