NSW bomb cyclone weather updates live: Sydney, Hunter region, South Coast hit hard as heavy rain causes chaos

Heavy rain will continue to pour across a lot of NSW today, with totals between 50 and 100mm expected. In some areas of the state, 120mm is possible.

“The damaging winds will continue today,” NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz added during a briefing on Wednesday morning.

“60 to 70km/h wind gusts are possible, and in some pockets, potentially up to 100km/h in areas around the South Coast, Mid North Coast…and Sydney metropolitan area.”

While emergency services anticipate conditions will begin to ease later on Wednesday as the powerful system shifts further south and east, Ms Platz warned there is “still potential for riverine flooding, and we at the SES and at the Bureau (of Meteorology) will continue to monitor these risks.”

Minor to moderate flooding is possible in the Hawkesbury and lower Nepean Rivers, while minor flooding is also expected in the Sydney river systems such as the Colo and Georges River.

Flood risks also extend to parts of the Illawarra coast, including the Shoalhaven River, St George’s Basin, Clyde River and the Snowy Mountains River.

“Residents in all of these areas are advised to continually monitor conditions and follow the advice of any flood warnings in the event that their situation will escalate,” she added.

“As we have always said, this system is a more dynamic and fast-moving system than any of the recent rain events we have seen across NSW.”

The NSW SES flood rescue team was activated “seven times” around the Shoalhaven area overnight due to people driving into floodwaters.

With heavy rainfall and damaging winds continuing on Wednesday, NSW Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz urged residents in flood-prone areas to “follow the advice of any flood warnings in the event that the situation will escate”.

In addition to the flood rescues, Ms Platz confirmed that since the start of the severe weather event, the SES has reported 2,870 incidents and received 2,391 calls for assistance.

The majority of these incidents have been concentrated in three key regions:

• The Mid North Coast, particularly around Medford, which recorded over 740 calls
• Metropolitan Sydney, with 771 calls
• The Illawarra and South Coast, with 647 calls

Flash flooding remains a key concern for the NSW SES as heavy rain continues to lash parts of the state.

NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz said that the areas on high alert include Illawarra, the South Coast and some areas in Sydney.

Ms Platz urged residents to take care on the roads as there have been multiple car crashes due to the slippery conditions.

“That is extremely important, and once again, a reminder to everybody not to drive, play or walk in flooded areas.”

The majority of incidents the SES attended to overnight have been for fallen trees and powerlines on road.

“We are not out the woods yet,” Ms Platz warned.

As well as power outages, more than a thousand properties in the Hunter Valley, Central Coast, Illawarra and South Coast regions are also without internet coverage.

The National Broadband Network shared an update this morning, listing locations where 1,012 NBN services have been disrupted by power outages from wild weather.

Impacted areas include:

• Ellalong
• Berrara
• Wyong Ceek
• North Nowra
• Sanctuary Point
• Dolphin Point
• Illawarra
• NSW South Coast

There is currently no estimate for when services will be restored, but impacted residents will be shared on nbnco.com.au.au at 12.30pm today.

The SES has released new images showing the severity of the destruction caused by the “bomb cyclone” that lashed across NSW overnight.

The emergency service has responded to over 1,860 incidents in the past 24 hours, with the majority taking place in the Hunter, Sydney Metro, Illawarra and South Coast.

NSW SES has responded to over 1,860 incidents in the past 24 hours, with the majority taking place in the Hunter, Sydney Metro, Illawarra and South Coast regions.

In a fresh statement, the SES has put Sydney and the South Coast on alert for flooding.

“Flash flooding remains a key concern from Sydney to the South Coast today. When traveling about, please stay alert for flash flooding over roads and never drive through floodwater — it’s dangerous and unpredictable.

“As you head out this morning, please avoid damaged buildings, fallen trees and downed powerlines. Rain and strong winds are expected to continue today (Wednesday 2 July), before easing from Thursday as the system moves into the Tasman Sea.”

Photos are starting to emerge of the damage from the wild weather that lashed parts of NSW overnight.

Travel disruptions are worsening, with dozens of domestic and international arrivals and departures impacted as a result of the wild weather.

According to Flight Radar, at least 87 flights have been cancelled from Sydney Airport, with more expected as the conditions worsen throughout the day.

The airport is now operating under a Level 4 “significant” delay status.

“Sydney Airport is working closely with airlines and Airservices Australia to manage the impact of these challenging conditions and we thank everyone for their patience and understanding,” a spokesperson told the ABC.

The cancellations come after winds reached 72km/h at Sydney Airport on Wednesday morning.

Millions of Australians have been told to stay home and avoid public transport as the destructive low-pressure system dubbed the “bomb cyclone” rapidly intensified on Wednesday morning.

In a fresh update, Sydney Trains strongly advised that “train passengers should avoid non-essential travel across the rail network,” with service alerts issued on eight of the nine major train lines.

“Due to fallen trees, trains on some routes have been cancelled,” the statement read.

“Motorists across Eastern NSW are being urged to prepare for delays and disruptions, as extreme weather is set to lash the region today and into the coming days.

“Transport for NSW is warning that damaging to locally destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and hazardous surf conditions will impact key coastal areas from the Mid North Coast down to the South Coast, including the Hunter, Central Coast, Sydney, and Illawarra.

“If you must travel, please allow plenty of extra travel to get to your destination. Be prepared for disruptions, including possible road closures and public transport delays.”

Read the full story here.

Travel disruptions are mounting as the NSW bomb cyclone intensifies, with 15 flights cancelled after winds hit 72km/h at Sydney Airport on Wednesday morning.

Severe weather has forced the airport to operate with only one runway, resulting in the cancellation of eight Sydney-bound arrivals and seven Brisbane-to-Sydney departures.

Authorities are advising travellers to stay alert, with further delays and cancellations expected throughout the day.