Parts of the Blue Mountains have been drenched by more than 90mm of rain in the past 24 hours as wild weather lashes the state.
UPDATE 5pm:
Flooding on the Great Western Highway approaching Ross Street, Glenbrook, with westbound traffic affected.
UPDATE 3.21pm:
Flooding on the Great Western Highway at The Valley Rd, Valley Heights. Westbound traffic affected.
Also a landslide on Springwood Rd at Hawkesbury Heights, approaching Roberts Pde. Westbound affected.
And floodwaters over the highway at Glenbrook, near Ross St (westbound).
Best to try to avoid all these areas.
UPDATE 2.49pm:
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
For people in Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra and parts of South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts.
Severe thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in the Metropolitan, Illawarra and parts of the Hunter, South Coast, Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra and Katoomba.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car 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.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid on 131 388, or Endeavour Energy on 131 003 or Essential Energy on 132 080, as shown on your power bill.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
Meanwhile the weather is proving a challenge for motorists who have been warned to take it easy on the roads.
In the past 24 hours, the Bureau of Meteorology has reported 92 mm of rain at Faulconbridge, 36 mm of rain at Springwood, 46 mm at Linden, 24 at Medlow Bath and Wentworth Falls and 40 mm at Mt Boyce.
It’s predicted to continue raining throughout most of the day, with bureau forecasting no let-up until around 8pm.
The State Emergency Service anticipate conditions to worsen later in the day, due to forecasted windy weather.
Blue Mountains SES controller, John Hughes, is expecting the winds to increase in the Upper Mountains between 2 and 4pm with teams on standby.
The top temperature for Katoomba will be 13C and 18.5C in Faulconbridge.
The SES is hoping people take heed of the warning and avoid driving into flood water. The NSW SES website has details of steps people can take, with staff on hand to help if needed on phone number: 132 500.
On a lighter note at 11am today Glenbrook Cinema’s Festival of Favourite Films, celebrating their 50 years, starts with Singin’ in the Rain.