Residents told to brace for 'month worth of rain in two days'
People up and down the NSW coast can expect up to a month's worth of rain in just a couple of days as damp, dangerous weather takes a grip on the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for Newcastle, the Central Coast and Port Stephens areas with heavy bursts of rain forecast from early Wednesday.
Gale-force winds are expected to batter the Sydney and Hunter coasts.
Steady rainfall is expected in Sydney until at least Friday with about 50mm to fall over the three days. Much heavier falls are expected further north with up to 200mm possible on Wednesday in some areas of the Hunter and Mid North Coast.
In just one hour on Wednesday morning, Dungog, in the Hunter region, recorded 117mm of rain.
The bureau warns flash flooding is possible on the Central Coast, around the Hunter and on the Mid North Coast while gusty winds are also likely to create hazardous surf conditions on the coast.
"A coastal trough will develop along the central parts of the coast over the next 24 hours, cradled between two strong high pressure systems," the bureau reports on its website.
"Widespread rain will continue to fall on Wednesday and Thursday from Illawarra to Coffs Harbour."
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"We do expect that many places will get their normal monthly rainfall for March in just a couple of days," Bureau meteorologist Adam Morgan said.
People are being urged to avoid non-essential travel once the severe weather starts, and to bring pets indoors and cars under cover.
Those driving are encouraged to slow down, take extra care and avoid driving in floodwaters.
The imminent drenching comes just days after parts of the state and Sydney endured record-breaking heat in the first month of autumn, and bushfires scorched the NSW Far South Coast town of Tathra.
Meanwhile, Brisbane is expected to received between eight and 20mm of rainfall on Wednesday and between three and 15mm on Thursday. The state will see a warmer top temperature of 28C.
