Thousands of SES volunteers are on standby and flood rescues have already begun as dangerous rains sweep south down eastern Australia.
Constant rainfall has swamped roads and evacuated a school on the NSW Mid North Coast, sparking warnings to cancel travel to the worst-affected regions today.
While parts of Sydney have already copped drenchings of more than 50mm, the worst of the weather is further north, where falls exceeded 200mm in some parts.
In a severe weather warning issued this morning, the Bureau of Meteorology issued advice for people on the Mid North Coast and parts of the Hunter and Northern Tablelands for heavy rain, possibly life-threatening, and damaging winds extending south.
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Across NSW, SES volunteers have already received more than 1200 calls for assistance and performed 11 flood rescues.
Coffs Harbour and Port Stephens have been among the worst-hit areas so far, with sandbagging taking place around vulnerable homes and road closures in both areas.
Residents living near the Myall River in Bulahdelah, near Seal Rocks have been told they might have to evacuate.
https://www.facebook.com/NSW.SES/posts/3912390415507074
Weather forecaster Gavin Morris described the downpour as probably "once in a generational".
He said the main area of concern for today would be south of the Clarence Valley across the Coffs Coast to Nambucca and Kempsey but the bad weather would keep heading south.
"We're going to see this system extend further south as we move through the weekend and that will continue to threaten the central coast, Sydney basin and then further south to Illawarra and Shoalhaven," he told 9News.
https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1372610670198460420?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwMassive falls on Thursday
Rain gauges right along the coast recorded staggering figures yesterday, with a month's worth of rain dumped in as little as three hours.
Seven Oaks, between Port Macquarie and Yamba, copped the worst of it, with 289mm from 9am yesterday to 5am today.
Almost half of that fell in just three hours, exceeding the March average.
Nearby Kempsey had 179mm of rainfall since, Alvadilla copped 214mm and Blacksmiths in Lake Macquarie received 187mm.
What to expect this weekend
Weather bureau experts say conditions could get worse there, ahead of the wild weather moving south to the Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra today and into the weekend.
Senior climatologist Agata Imielska warned with the ground already wet it "won't take much rainfall" to cause flooding, and "dangerously wet conditions" were possible.
https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1372069800789168131"We are expecting some widespread heavier falls, potentially up to twice the amounts that may be recorded in nearby regions," she said.
"It's really about the amount of time this rainfall will fall.
"You're really increasing the risk of flash flooding."
SES warnings
The SES said it had received calls from people asking for sandbags, plus reports of leaking or damaged roofs, and trees down.
The Tomaree SES unit, which covers the Hunter area north of Newcastle, was the busiest, followed by Foster Pacific Palms and Coffs Harbour City units.
https://twitter.com/jacinta_lee3/status/1372313010451181568?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwChief Superintendent Greg Swindells from the SES said the service was well prepared on the Mid North Coast, with plans underway to scramble volunteers in Sydney.
"What we urge the community to do is to take notice, listen, as these are updated from watchings to warnings," he said.
He said the service's 4500 volunteers in Sydney were being told to be prepared to help.
He reminded people never to drive through floods and said people should consider putting off travel this weekend.
https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1372327253313527814?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"We just need people to be safe and look after themselves," Chief Superintendent Swindells said.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns earlier warned people to be prepared.
"We are making sure our volunteers are prepared and resourced to spring into action when needed," he said.
"But just as our volunteers are prepared, we need our communities to be prepared as well.
"For weather events like this, that means knowing your flood risks.
https://twitter.com/MarineRescueNSW/status/1372674627902697472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
"For instance, knowing the height of which your home, business and even your street could be affected by floodwater.
"It is also important to have an emergency kit ready to go with all your important documents and medications should you need to leave your home."
Queensland weather warning
The state is also expecting more rain, after a Central Queensland town had evacuations this week.
A weather warning has issued for the Capricornia Coast has now been cancelled, but there are warnings of thunderstorms in the Central Highlands and Coalfields inland from Rockhampton this afternoon.
Flood warnings continue for the upper Warrego River, with minor warnings for the Bulloo, Paroo, Maranoa and upper Balonne.
A swell over 2.5 metres is expected over the weekend on south coast beaches.
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