Warning over Sydney's 'deceiving' weather forecast
Residents in flood-affected areas have been implored to not be complacent despite forecasted clear conditions providing much-needed reprieve from the relentless week of rain.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) urged NSW residents to continue heeding the serious flood warnings even as conditions begin to clear across western Sydney and the mid-north coast.
"We can already see that on the satellite and on our radar, it is almost impossible to believe, but we will see blue skies and sunshine just later this afternoon," BoM's Agata Imielska said on Tuesday.
"It is very important to remember that even though we will have that blue sky and sunshine returning, flooding will continue, and the flood risk will continue."
Sydney is expected to see a sunny day on Wednesday with a top of 30 degrees, and a most sunny day on Thursday with a high of 28. The weekend is also looking to stay dry.
But Ms Imielska said upcoming damaging winds combined with the deluge of previous days could prove a dangerous combination.
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"It really won't take much to be bringing down trees which can block roads and take down power lines, so it is really important to be aware of not just the flood risk, which is very much focused, but also those dangerous conditions on the road."
She also warned against dangerous surf conditions and the forecasted clear sky.
"We're expecting that clearing trend, and the return of some blue skies and conditions, but again, keep alert, even though we will see those clear conditions," Ms Imielska said.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian echoed the warnings, expressing that clearing sky didn't mean the threat had passed.
"Even if the sun is shining in parts of western Sydney tomorrow, which is what the forecast is, it doesn't mean river rising conditions won't worsen, in fact they will," Ms Berejiklian told reporters.
"Some people I know will be frustrated that the SES hasn't given them the all-clear to return to their homes but we ask them to be safe and follow the warnings."
Rescues and evacuations unfold in dangerous conditions
The State Emergency Service ordered about 500 people in 200 homes to get out on Tuesday. Boats and helicopters were deployed by the SES to help them leave.
A family fleeing flooding on the river needed to be rescued twice after the boat evacuating them capsized on Tuesday afternoon. Three SES crews were also on board when the boat overturned as it approached the Sackville Ferry Wharf.
People in caravans along a stretch of the Hawkesbury River from Windsor to Wiseman's Ferry have been told to prepare to leave, as have those in the Picton CBD due to rising levels at Stonequarry Creek.
More than 10,000 requests for help have been made around NSW since Thursday, with emergency services performing about 900 flood rescues.
An inland weather system coming across from the Northern Territory is also blighting rural communities such as Grafton and Lismore.
Evacuation warnings persist at Kempsey on the state's mid north coast, while the Hunter, the Central Tablelands and the south coast are in for a drenching.
A major flood warning is in place for the Orara River at Glenreagh and Coutts Crossing.
Warnings of moderate flooding along the Nepean River at Penrith are in place and floodwaters are expected to affect the upper Nepean.
The weather bureau was forecasting widespread falls of more than 100mm across the NSW south coast on Tuesday and up to 300mm in some parts.
Some 280 NSW schools were closed on Tuesday due to the rainfall.
With AAP
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