Thunderstorm watch for the Hunter as 'unsettled' weather pattern sets in

A mid morning downpour in Newcastle had rivers running down the roads and people hiding from the rain. National Park Street. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers

HUNTER residents will be on thunderstorm watch for the next two days as an "unsettled" weather system sets in.

Rain drenched the Newcastle coastline on Monday, as the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe storm warning for parts of the Hunter.

Severe thunderstorms were expected to produce heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the warning area over several hours, the bureau said at 9am, but this severe storm warning was cancelled at 11.20am.

Despite the cancellation bureau senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said the "risk of storms continues".

"While the main storm has shifted north, the week ahead will see what we call unsettled weather," she said.

"The risk of severe storms continues into Tuesday and Wednesday.

"We may see damaging winds and hail is possible, so keep an eye on the warnings."

Most locations across the Hunter Region recorded rainfall between 20 and 30 mm on Monday.

The early downpour hit Singleton and south of Maitland the hardest with the State Emergency Service receiving several calls for help. Across the state there were 80 jobs logged as the rain cell moved east.

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A mid morning downpour in Newcastle, as a car drives through a deep puddle at the intersection of Hunter St and Bellevue St. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers

"It is going to be a wet and stormy week," a spokesman from NSW SES said.

"We ask people to put their cars indoors and prepare their properties."

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

* 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.

* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.

A rain cell moving across the state on Monday.

* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.

* Unplug computers and appliances.

* Avoid using the phone during the storm.

* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.

* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.

* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

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