Most of the coast of New South Wales will be hit by heavy rains over the next week, but Sydney is on the line of fire today.
More than a month of rain will approach Sydney and Ilwarwar today with multiple flood warnings across the city.
Rainfall of up to 150 millimeters is expected today.
Residents have been warned to avoid unnecessary travel amid worries about sudden flooding. (Louise Kennerley)
The Meteorological Office has warned that this could cause sudden flooding in Sydney and has warned motorists to avoid unnecessary travel.
The timing couldn’t be worse for NSW residents either, as the school holidays are starting today and many families would plan to leave.
“A surface trough is expected to sink to the coast from the Sydney metropolitan area today and remain almost stationary for the rest of the weekend, causing widespread showers and heavy rains along parts of the east coast of NSW, ”the office said.
Torrential rains are heading for the NSW coast. (weather zone)
“A drop from the east coast may form inside the trough on Monday early and stay until Tuesday, which will prolong this major rain event for several days.
“There is a possibility that a low east coast will develop during the night of Sunday or Monday in the early hours of the coast, which would prolong this event of heavy rain until early next week, with consecutive days of rain abundant possible.
“If an east coast downpour forms, damaging wind gusts can become a risk by the end of Sunday and next week, depending on the strength and location of the downturn.”
Meteorologist Jonathan How said that during the night the Ilwarwarra saw more than 200 millimeters of rain.
State emergency services responded to more than 230 calls for help in the last 24 hours, most from Ilwarwarra.
Hawkesbury Nepean is a region at risk of major flooding for the fourth time in just two years.
Meteorologist Jane Golding warned yesterday that the basin is already saturated and that this incoming flood could cause rivers to rise.
Residents are now preparing for another flood event after recovering from just the last one just a few months ago.
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In Queensland, meanwhile, there will be up to 25 millimeters of rain over the weekend before conditions are temporarily reduced.
The weather system could recover again on Monday with more wet weather.