'Protect your family': NSW authorities warn of 'life-threatening' floods
Emergency services across NSW are likely facing another busy day as authorities warn of potentially life-threatening flash flooding and torrential rainfall in parts of the state.
A State Emergency Service spokesman told AAP on Sunday six flood rescues had been performed in the Grafton area overnight.
One family was rescued by the Rural Fire Service via helicopter after flood waters cut them off leaving them isolated in a car.
The focus for Sunday will be the Illawarra region, the spokesman said.
The Bureau of Meteorology on Saturday expected rains to intensify overnight and through Sunday after some stations in northern NSW recorded more than 300mm within 48 hours.
A severe weather warning is in place on Sunday morning for heavy rain, damaging winds, abnormally high tides and damaging surf for the entire coast from the Northern Rivers region to the South Coast.
The bureau said in a statement there was "potential for periods of very heavy (torrential) rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding" in the Hunter region, including the Central Coast, as well as the greater Sydney, Illawarra and eastern parts of the Central Tablelands districts, including the Blue Mountains.
Cudgera Creek, in NSW's north east, recorded 320 millimetres of rain in the period between 9am on Saturday and 4am on Sunday.
In the same period Tweed Heads recorded 235mm, Comboyne Public School recorded 189mm, Wentworth Falls recorded 155mm, and Ballina recorded 140mm.
The wet weather has kept the SES busy, with the organisation responding to 3253 calls for help across the state since just after 4.30pm on Tuesday.
Overnight volunteers responded to 535 jobs – including 250 in greater Sydney and 231 in the state's north.
Volunteers have responded to at least 26 flood rescues, mostly involving motorists who drove into floodwaters.
The SES on Saturday night urged residents across this region, as well as Sydney and the South Coast to prepare for heavy rain and potential flooding as a coastal trough causing rain and windy conditions continues moving south into the night and throughout Sunday.
NSW SES commissioner Carlene York urged those in low-lying areas to plan ahead.
"Now is the time to plan how you will protect your family and property from flood," Ms York said in a statement.
"Never drive, ride or walk through floodwaters. It's too dangerous - and you never know how deep the floodwaters are, the condition of the road or how fast the water is flowing.
"Please keep clear of drains, creeks and causeways and if you are in a flood-prone area avoid parking vehicles in low-lying areas."
BoM has issued minor flood warnings for the Bellinger River, Hastings River, Georges River, Tuggerah Lake, Paroo River, Weir River and the Cooks River.
A minor to moderate flood warning is also in place for the Manning and Gloucester rivers, the Hawkesbury, Nepean and Colo rivers, the Orara River, and a moderate flood warning for the Macintyre River.
An initial minor flood warning is in place for the Tweed River, Wallis Lake and the Camden Haven River.
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