HUNTER State Emergency Services (SES) crews are ready to act as gale force wind, rain and possible thunderstorms threaten to wreak havoc on the region.
NSW SES crews expect the worst of the weather to hit on Friday and Northern Zone operational readiness chief inspector Travis Douglass said units had been briefed across the area.
"We're expecting some wind gusts up to 60 to 80kmh, which are possible from Friday and easing into Saturday," he said.
"We're taking into account too the additional school holiday traffic moving in and around.
"So we're asking the community to download the Hazards Near Me App, check Live Traffic NSW and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website for any updates before they make their journey."
Thursday's wild weather did not worry Hunter Sports High School year 12 student Caoimhe Waldron and her mates as they raced around Newcastle on a scavenger hunt before graduation on Friday.
Luckily their group had picked yellow raincoats as their costume while others had to improvise ponchos and brave the wet weather.
"We had the list for the scavenger hunt printed, but as soon as we got outside it just melted, so we had to throw it away, luckily one of the girls' mums works in town, so she reprinted it and we took photos before it got destroyed again," Caoimhe said.
"It was still so much fun, people in town were excited for us, and while we were running around they were cheering us on with costumes and everything, the rain made it a bit more challenging I guess.
"The winner is announced tomorrow and a lot of groups gave up towards the end with the rain, so fingers crossed, we got a lot done."
Since the beginning of the week, Northern Zone SES crews have responded to 13 jobs across the zone from Gosford up to Nambucca.
Falls of anywhere between 10mm and 40mm are expected across the region, with some embedded thunderstorms more likely across the Mid North Coast.
BOM forecaster Belinda House said Thursday would probably be the wettest day for the Hunter before the rain started to shift north.
"We've got this fairly windy southerly change pushing up, and it's bringing particularly windy conditions to the coastal parts of the Hunter," she said.
A hazardous surf warning has been issued for the Hunter coast and will remain in place on Friday.
"That means we are looking at dangerous surf and swell conditions, which could be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, or if you're out in your boat or swimming in the area, and those things are advised against," Ms House said.
"We've got a gale warning for the coastal waters and we're reaching up to 35 knots on those coastal waters as well.
"We're watching the development of a low pressure system so the best advice is to stay across the forecast and the warnings."
Temperatures are likely to warm up across Newcastle at the weekend.
But, while rain continued to saturate the region, Mr Douglass said the potential for trees falling increased.
"We encourage the community to try not to park or be anywhere near trees," he said.
"If they do see something fallen near power lines, assume that the power lines are live, stay well clear, and if needed call NSW SES on 132 500 or Triple Zero if they deem it life-threatening.
"If we do have some of those thunderstorms positioned over flash flood areas that has the potential to pose a higher risk to us than the winds at this stage, but it's certainly a concern and we have our teams prepared to respond where required."
There were two to three teams ready to respond from each unit, with the potential for others to be relocated if needed.
Mr Douglass said members of the community could prepare their homes by securing any loose furniture, especially trampolines.
"They don't take much of a gust to pick up and fly across the area," he said.
"Just be aware when you're moving in and around the area that the roads are going to be wet, if you do see a flash flood hot spot where the roads are inundated, don't drive or ride through it.
"Stop, turn around and find another way to your destination."
The weather is expected to ease from Saturday afternoon into Sunday.
