Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast and parts of Hunter, Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:48 pm Tuesday, 5 April 2022.
Heavy Rainfall forecast over southern and central New South Wales.

Weather Situation: A strong upper trough and embedded low will amplify over central NSW on Wednesday. A coastal trough is forecast to deepen in response to this upper weather system and will remain slow-moving, producing areas of heavy rainfall. This coastal trough is forecast to weaken during Friday morning.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop about the Illawarra and parts of the South Coast and Southern Tablelands districts from Wednesday afternoon. Rainfall will also extend into the Metropolitan and parts of the Central Tablelands and Hunter districts on Thursday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 to 100 mm are likely, reaching up to 140 mm over coastal areas.
A Flood Watch is current for parts of southern and central New South Wales. For more details, please visit www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings.

Locations which may be affected include Bega, Batemans Bay, Nowra, Goulburn, Wollongong, Sydney, Katoomba and Gosford.

Heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* 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.
* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.