Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and parts of Mid North Coast, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:52 pm Monday, 7 March 2022.

Heavy Rainfall expected across eastern NSW, with Damaging Winds an additional risk from Tuesday morning.

A low pressure system is expected to deepen and develop into an East Coast Low near the Hunter Coast tonight and track south. This system is forecast to bring Heavy Rainfall and Damaging Winds across the central and southern coast, ranges and hinterland.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Sydney Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, and parts of the Central Tablelands districts. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 70 to 120 mm are possible. Heavy rainfall will persist throughout the warning area today, with the peak of the rainfall most likely about the Sydney Metropolitan and Illawarra districts tonight and into Tuesday.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL leading to dangerous and LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible with thunderstorms, six-hourly rainfall totals in excess of 150 mm are possible.

DAMAGING WIND GUSTS with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are possible on TUESDAY over the Sydney Metropolitan, South Coast, Illawarra and Southern Tablelands districts, including the ACT ranges. The risk of damaging wind gusts will begin during Tuesday morning, and continue into Wednesday.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.

Heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.

A Flood Watch and multiple Flood Warnings are current for parts of New South Wales. For more details, please visit www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings.

A separate Severe Weather Warning for Damaging and Hazardous Surf is current for Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast.

Locations which may be affected include Coffs Harbour, Scone, Kempsey, Coonabarabran, Port Macquarie, Taree, Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra, Batemans Bay, Bega, Goulburn, Tamworth and Gunnedah.

Severe weather is no longer occurring in the North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.

118.5 mm of rainfall recorded in the 6 hours to 4:15 pm at Mittagong.

108 mm of rainfall recorded in the 6 hours to 4 pm at Turners Flat.

58 mm of rainfall recorded in the 3 hours to 4:15 pm at Bowral. With 91 mm recorded between 9 am and 4 pm.

54.6 mm of rainfall recorded in the 2 hours to 4 pm at Carrowbrook.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.