Residents on the NSW Central Coast say the flooding they experienced on Wednesday was the worst they have ever seen.
Look back on the events of the day as it happened in our blog.
Key events
- Up to 7,000 rescues since the start of the floods: SES
- High tides hit the Central Coast
- Gillieston Heights now isolated due to floodwaters
- Singleton requests disaster declaration
- Here's how you can claim the disaster recovery payment for the NSW floods
- Perrottet says changes have been made to avoid another 'disappointing' payment rollout
- Victorian emergency services sent to NSW
- 'This is far from over': NSW Premier
- PM announces flood assistance available for affected New Zealand citizens
- Albanese and Perrottet to provide a flood update at 9:15am AEST
- PM announces flood assistance payments to be made available from tomorrow
Live updates
By Jessica Riga
Where to find emergency assistance and information
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For emergency assistance, contact NSW SES on 132 500
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If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately
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Roads and bridges may be impacted by flash flooding. You can find the latest evacuation orders here
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For the latest weather updates visit the Bureau of Meteorology
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If you're not sure what to do when there's a flood, here's the best way to plan
Listen to ABC Local Radio for regular updates:
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ABC Sydney on 702am or online
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Search for a different frequency using the ABC Radio Finder
By Shiloh Payne
That's all for today's blog
Thank you for joining us. Here's where you can stay up-to-date overnight:
- ABC News online's NSW feed
- ABC Emergency online
- NSW SES's Twitter feed
- BOM's weather warning summary
- ABC Sydney on 702am or online, or search for your local frequency via the ABC Radio Finder
For emergency assistance, contact NSW SES on 132 500.
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
By Shiloh Payne
Here's some vision of the Windsor area
The NSW RFS has shared this video, which shows the extent of flooding in the region.
By Shiloh Payne
MV Portland Bay cargo ship finally makes it to shore
A cargo ship that has been stuck off the coast of Sydney since Monday has finally made it to shore after two failed rescue attempts.
The Port Authority of NSW confirmed the vessel made it into Port Botany about 2pm this afternoon, after a rescue operation using four tug boats began this morning.
The MV Portland Bay left Port Kembla on Sunday afternoon headed for Melbourne, but lost power on Monday in severe weather conditions.
It had been drifting towards cliffs in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney.
You can continue reading this story by ABC reporter Adriane Reardon below.
By Shiloh Payne
The long-term impacts of repeated flooding on victims
The resilience of people living in areas affected by floods for a second, third and fourth time is really being put to the test.
By Shiloh Payne
Up to 7,000 rescues since the start of the floods: SES
New South Wales SES Deputy State Duty Commander Ashley Sullivan is on News Channel.
He says there has been nearly 7,000 requests for assistance since the beginning of the floods, with 370 flood rescues.
"[There has been] about 1,100 calls and jobs received in the last 24 hours, so the workload still remains very high," he says.
"This event is still causing concern for us, particularly as the floodwaters remain around Sydney in the Hawkesbury-Nepean, and that rain continues to shift north up into the Mid North Coast, and hopefully off the coast later tonight and into tomorrow."
Mr Sullivan said their focus of the day has been around the Gosford, Wyong and Hunter region, with areas around Singleton.
By Shiloh Payne
Pets and livestock saved from floods
Animal rescuers are working around the clock to rescue and care for pets and livestock caught in floodwaters in Western Sydney.
Using a boat to access the parts of the Hawkesbury region under water, Crisis Animal Response and Evacuation NSW (CARE NSW) has rescued kangaroos, dogs and horses, and delivered food and supplies to stranded cows.
"They're freezing, hypothermic, and probably a little bit in shock too," animal rescuer Josh Robinson said.
While the group has been able to rescue dozens of animals, many have not been so lucky.
You can continue reading this story by Rosemary Bolger and Declan Bowring below.
By Shiloh Payne
Residents say there's 'a lot people don't see' as clean up efforts begin
Easing weather conditions across the Sydney Basin, coupled with slowly receding flood waters, has given some residents a chance to begin the massive clean-up.
Brett and Sandra Connor have lived in Pitt Town for 30 years. While they've suffered flood damage in the past, this is the first time water has entered their home. They're now contemplating leaving the area.
"There's a lot to it that people don't see," Sandra said.
"When this is all finished, when it's not so interesting anymore or the impact not so visible, everyone's just left with their lives, to get on and continue the clean-up and yet you're still suffering.
"It shouldn't be like this."
By Shiloh Payne
Here's where to keep up with the latest weather warnings
A major flood warning has been issued for Tuggerah Lake, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
The NSW SES is where you can find all the latest flood evacuation orders.
There are currently 205 notifications across the state.
By Shiloh Payne
This Hunter Valley town is experiencing its biggest flood
Winemaker Andrew Margan says he's completely surrounded by flood water in the small town of Broke, near Singleton in the Hunter Valley.
By Shiloh Payne
Authorities issue warning to boaters
Marine Rescue Port Macquarie is urging people on the Mid North Coast to avoid entering the water, as a severe weather warning remains in place for the region.
"It's a very dangerous time to be out on the water," Marine Rescue Port Macquarie unit commander Greg Davies said.
"My best advice for all the boats … is to stay out of the water and if they do go in the river to be aware of logs and debris floating down."
Mr Davies said if any boaters do go out, they should log on with the local Marine Rescue radio base.
The Bureau of Meteorology has also issued a marine wind warning and hazardous surf warning for the region.
"All our units are on standby; all our vessels are prepared to go to support the SES if needed," Mr Davies said.
Reporting by Madeleine Cross
By Shiloh Payne
NSW Blues hail Lismore flood heroes as team visits community
Here's a bit of a mood booster — the NSW Blues met with fans after taking their training session to flood-stricken Lismore today.
The team has made a temporary home base at Kingscliff, just south of the Queensland border, in the lead-up to next week's State of Origin decider in Brisbane.
But in a region still reeling from the effects of a catastrophic natural disaster, Blues coach Brad Fittler visited Lismore this week as the first stop on the itinerary.
"I think Lismore has been a great example, and it's a great opportunity for us to come here and see it first hand, about the spirit," he told an adoring crowd of several hundred football fans.
"You've been a great inspiration for everyone across NSW about community spirit.
"That's exactly what we talk about with our footy team."
You can continue reading this story from flood recovery reporter Bruce MacKenzie below.
By Shiloh Payne
$17 million works to raise road now underwater
Major works to raise a road that crosses Testers Hollow at Gillieston Heights is now under water.
A $17 million project to raise the road started last year and was due to be finished in early 2023.
The community is calling for a bridge to be built instead.
By Shiloh Payne
Prime Minister and Premier visit flood affected areas
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet are inspecting flood affected areas in Sydney.
By Shiloh Payne
There are more than 550 RFS volunteers in the field today
Here are some photos the NSW RFS have shared as they clear mud and debris across the state.
By Shiloh Payne
Here's how the flood support will work
The Prime Minister says disaster payments worth up to $1,000 per adult will be available.
Here's political reporter Henry Belot explaining how it will work:
By Jessica Riga
Nambucca Valley has more than 12 bridges closed
Here's more from ABC reporter Nick Parmeter:
The Nambucca Valley on the Mid North Coast is on high alert, with parts of the area recorded more than 70mm of rain since 9am this morning.
Mayor of the Nambucca Shire Council, Rhonda Hoban, said the next 12 to 24 hours are the most critical.
"It's amazing how quickly all of our rivers and creeks have come up, we've currently got 12 bridges closed."
The Nambucca River is rising at Bowraville, Utungun and Macksville, with moderate flooding currently predicted for Bowraville, and minor for Macksville.
Councillor Hoban is currently herself isolated and said the water has risen far more quickly than normal.
"Normally it would take a week of set-in rain before that would happen."
Ms Hoban said there is serious concern for landslips, with a dry June making soil cracked and crumbly.
"A lot of the area is clay-based, water is going to get into those cracks."
"The weight of that on our road system is likely to cause further landslips – we've already got more than we need."
The region is still reeling from multiple flood events in the last 18 months.
"We're [already] facing multi-million-dollar repairs, and we don't seem to get a break to be able to catch up, " said Ms Hoban.
By Shiloh Payne
High tides hit the Central Coast
Here's the latest from ABC reporter Blake Doyle:
Residents of Chittaway Bay on the Central Coast say the flooding they've experienced today is the worst they've ever seen.
The high tide at noon has inundated several homes in the lakeside suburb and a Major Flood Warning is current for Tuggerah Lake.
The SES has carried out more than 50 flood rescues on the Central Coast since the emergency began with more than half of them from people driving through floodwater.
By Jessica Riga
Gillieston Heights now isolated due to floodwaters
Gillieston Heights, near Maitland in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, has been isolated due to flood waters.
Cessnock Road is closed at both ends and police are urging people to stay at home.
One resident says the local supermarket has been busy with people panic buying, while getting staff to the local pharmacy was a challenge this morning.
Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison says residents must heed warnings from authorities.
"People need to stay at home today, there is no education or work, or anything really, that is worth your life," she said.
