‘Torrential falls’ to hit NSW south coast as rain pelts Sydney

‘Torrential falls’ that are set to batter the NSW coast have prompted a severe weather warning after the wettest May day in two decades.

Torrential rain is set to hit the NSW coast on Thursday. Picture: Sky News Weather

Parts of the Southern Highlands have been smashed by their wettest May day in more than two decades as the NSW south coast braces for “torrential falls” on Thursday.

A severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and gusty winds has been issued for the south coast from Wollongong to Merimbula.

The weather bureau has warned thunderstorms are possible, and that could lead to flash flooding in the south coast and Illawarra regions and the adjacent ranges.

It said heavy rainfall would increase the risk of landslips and create hazardous driving conditions.

Sky News meteorologist Alison Osborne said falls of more than 50mm and as high as 150mm were possible from Wollongong down to Bega and Merimbula.

“Fairly torrential falls (are) coming,” she said.

“All communities south of Wollongong and even stretching into Victoria’s east Gippsland should be preparing for heavy rainfall and the risk of flash flooding.”

A woman walks in the rain in Circular Quay on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Ms Osbourne said hazardous surf conditions were also likely for all beaches south of Seal Rocks on the Hunter coast.

“Waves in the surf zone are likely to be powerful and generate quite a bit of force, so fairly dangerous conditions for inexperienced surfers or swimmers or even people heading out for rock fishing,” she said.

“Heavy rain will continue to pump over the NSW coast and towards the adjacent ranges in the ACT (on Thursday and Friday) before the evening when that low pressure system moves well out into the Tasman and leaves behind only the odd shower or two.”

She said a complex low sitting in the Tasman Sea was driving the heavy rain.

Moss Vale recorded 51mm in the past 24 hours to 9am on Thursday – its heaviest May rainfall in 23 years – while Nowra’s 113mm was its highest daily total in nine months.

Several stations around the Illawarra and the Shoalhaven regions also recorded more than 100mm in the past 24 hours.

The State Emergency Service advised people to never drive, ride or walk through floodwater and to keep clear of creeks and storm drains.

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