Heavy rain leads to flash flooding

HEAVY rain driven east across the State by strong winds have caused localised flash flooding, with the State Emergency Service rescuing trapped motorists in Crookwell and Albion Park, on the South Coast.

SES local controller, Upper Lachlan LGA, Nick Orchard said two residents were trapped in their vehicle by surging floodwaters while attempting to cross a causeway on Pejar Road, Crookwell, after 7.00pm last night.

Four SES teams, police, Rural Fire Service and ambulance officers attended to rescue.

The vehicle's two occupants escaped uninjured through the rear window.

Mr Orchard said the incident highlighted the need for caution during severe weather events.

Listen to the SES safety advice, he said: Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water and keep clear of creeks and storm drains.

“There was really no need to for the vehicle to be there last night.

“Flooding in Crookwell is only ever short term. You can just go to a friend’s place for an hour or two if the road to your place is house blocked.”

Damaging winds around 65 km/h with peak gusts of 90 km/h are forecast today for parts of the Metropolitan, Hunter, Illawarra and South Coast forecast districts, and are expected to ease later this afternoon or evening.

Heavy rain and the chance of thunderstorms, which may lead to more flash flooding, are forecast for the Illawarra and South Coast forecast districts. Rain is expected to ease later this or evening.

Rainfall of 197mm was been recorded in Porters Creek (inland from Ulladulla) and 170mm at Mongarlowe, near Braidwood.

Sheep graziers are warned of cool temperatures, heavy rain (and fresh to strong southeasterly winds today. There is a high risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

Areas likely to be affected include the South Coast, Illawarra, and eastern parts of the Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains forecast districts and Northern Tablelands.

Pallamallawa, near Moree, received the highest total rainfall with 55mm, while drought-striken Walgett and Lightning Ridge both received 30mm.

"Hopefully things have changed and this is a good sign for spring," said Michael Glasson, officer in charge for the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) in Moree.

Mr Glasson said there was still a 50 per cent chance of a dry summer due to El Nino, but there was also light showers forecast this coming weekend and next week for most of the North West Slopes and Plains and the Northern Tablelands.

Mr Glasson said the Northern Tablelands also received good rainfall last weekend, with Tamworth, Armidale, Glen Innes and Tenterfield all receiving between 25mm and 43mm.

Coonamble received 35mm and Coonabarabran 38mm.

"There are some happy people out there," Mr Glasson said.

For emergency help in floods and storms contact the SES on 132 500 and visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au for more information.