A significant band of rain is bringing heavy showers, thunderstorms and strong gusts across NSW as widespread flooding continues and forecasters warn of possible landslides.
A trough tracking over NSW towards the coast was developing on Saturday and was likely to bring intense rainfall and the risk of flash flooding, the Bureau of Meteorology’s Helen Kirkup said on Friday.
Six hourly rainfall totals of 30-50 millimetres are predicted in the Central Tablelands, the Hunter region and metropolitan Sydney, with isolated areas expected to receive up to 70mm.
After a soggy week in NSW, heavy falls on already saturated grounds would heighten the risk of landslides and debris falling across roads, Ms Kirkup said.
While the worst of the weather is forecast for Sydney, the Hunter region and the Central Tablelands, other areas can also expect rain.
The system is expected to blanket the state, with widespread showers forecast from the mid-north coast to the southern end of the state.
Damaging winds are forecast through the Sydney metropolitan and Illawarra coast on Saturday through to Sunday morning, with winds of 60-70km/h and peak gusts of more than 90km/h.
The State Emergency Operations Centre opened at Homebush, NSW Police said on Saturday, so experts could monitor the situation and co-ordinate a whole-of-government response.
Campers at the Bathurst 1000 have been warned of muddy, stormy and potentially dangerous conditions, with heavy falls predicted across Mount Panorama on Saturday and Sunday.
Up to 100mm could fall on the tens of thousands of fans expected to attend, potentially leading to flooding along the Macquarie River in Bathurst.
Free sandbags are available in the town, while volunteers are checking in with residents and tourists camping near the river.
As rain continues to soak much of NSW, and flood peaks flow down already swollen rivers, the bureau has warned of a widespread risk of significant riverine flooding for multiple inland catchments.
Major flooding is occurring along the Macquarie, Darling, Culgoa and Lachlan rivers.
Renewed flooding is a risk at inland and coastal catchments including the Gwydir, Namoi, Macquarie and Belubula rivers, Mandagery Creek, the Lachlan and Bogan rivers, Colo River, Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter rivers.
State emergency operations controller Peter Cotter asked that the community work with emergency services and follow any directions they were given.
“Those in flood-prone areas are urged to avoid essential travel and drive to the conditions on the roads,” he said.
“Please obey road closures and remember, if it’s flooded, forget it.”
© AAP 2022
