Ahead of anticipated heavy rainfall, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has issued several warnings advising people to prepare for the risk of flash and riverine flooding.
The NSW SES has also prepositioned flood rescue operators, aviation assets and vehicles ahead of the poor weather.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that minor to major flooding is possible in the Hawkesbury Nepean River from late Friday.
Minor to moderate flooding is possible across parts of the Mid North Coast, Greater Sydney Region, South Coast and North West.
Significant and heavy rain is expected to also bring the threat of flash flooding in many locations.
On Thursday (April 4), widespread showers of 30 to 50 mm, locally reaching 70 to 100 mm are expected in the northern districts in New England, Northern Rivers, and the northern half of the Mid North Coast regions are possible.
On Friday, heavy and intense falls, flash flooding, strong gale force coastal winds and hazardous surf conditions are likely to impact parts of the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Sydney Metro, Blue Mountains, and Illawarra. Rainfall totals exceeding 100mm are possible over wide areas and isolated totals of up to 200mm may be possible depending on het actual position and strength of the low.
On Saturday, the focus area will shift to Illawarra and the South Coast with heavy falls, strong gale force coastal winds and hazardous/damaging surf with large and powerful waves will continue to be potential hazards.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns has urged the community to stay informed of the conditions in their local areas.
"To stay up to date with current warnings and advice, people should download the Hazards Near Me app and set up a watch zone for their home neighbourhood, or the place they could be visiting," Assistant Commissioner Kearns said.
"We're urging the community to prepare ahead of the weather impact, by tying down loose items, moving their cars from underneath trees, clean your gutters, trim branches away from properties and understand what your flash flooding risk may be.
"If you do come across a flooded road, please do not drive, walk or ride through it. Stop, turn around and find an alternate route."
If you do need assistance from the NSW SES, call 132 500. If it's life threatening, call Triple Zero.
Catchments likely to be affected include:
Bellinger and Kalang Rivers minor flooding
Nambucca River minor flooding
Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter River minor to moderate flooding
Upper Nepean River minor flooding
Hawkesbury and Lower Nepean Rivers minor to major flooding
Upper Coxs River
Colo River minor to moderate flooding
Macdonald River
Northern Sydney
Southern Sydney
Parramatta River
Cooks River minor flooding
Georges and Woronora Rivers minor flooding
Illawarra Coast
Shoalhaven River minor flooding
St Georges Basin minor flooding
Clyde River
Moruya and Deua Rivers minor flooding
Tuross River
Bega River minor flooding
Gwydir River minor flooding
For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/
