Residents of Sydney and surrounding areas are being urged to stay indoors as damaging winds and heavy rain sweep through, causing life-threatening flash flooding. Drivers are being warned to avoid non-essential travel as the dangerous storm system hits along Australia’s eastern seaboard. An inland low and coastal trough joining forces over NSW is forecast to bring significant falls.
Authorities warned 24-hour totals could top 200 mm in Sydney and the south coast, with as much as 300 mm dumped on the Illawarra Escarpment overlooking Wollongong. More than 107 mm has fallen in the Sydney’s city centre since 9am on Thursday. The ongoing intense downpours could lead to “dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding” from Friday evening, NSW’s State Emergency Service warned.