A car submerged in floodwaters in Wallsend, Newcastle.
TWITTER: FIRE AND RESCUE NSWA deluge of heavy rain has caused flash flooding in some parts of the New South Wales Hunter region, as unseasonal rain continues to hit communities around the state.
A severe weather warning is in place for the mid north coast and Hunter districts, with heavy rain expected to continue through the week.
More than 200 millimetres of rain has fallen in Newcastle with up to 30 millimetres in one hour, leading to flash flooding, with more heavy rain expected overnight.
Authorities have rescued two people from a car submerged in floodwaters in the Newcastle suburb of Tighes Hill.
Meanwhile there are reports of two cars being submerged on University Drive at Callaghan.
NSW State Emergency Service spokesman Phil Campbell said there had been 227 calls for help in the Hunter and more than 150 of those were active.
The NSW SES has received more than 650 emergency calls so far, with more expected as the deluge continues.
A flood warning is in place for the Wollombi Brook at Bulga which is expected to reach moderate flood level at 3.7 metres about midnight.
Flood warnings are also in place for the Myall River on the mid north coast and the Bega River on the south coast.
Flooding cuts train line
Sydney Trains said floodwater also led to the partial closure of the Hunter Line.
The Hunter Line was closed in both directions between Hamilton and Telarah, and between Hamilton and Maitland due to flooding at Sandgate.
Sydney Trains said there would be replacement buses, but passengers were advised to allow plenty of additional travel time.
The Pacific Highway is closed in both direction at Gateshead due to flooding between Lake Street and Oakdale Road.
SES deputy commissioner Greg Newton said there was an "uptick" in the amount of rain falling in the Newcastle area on Tuesday evening.
"That's seen the Wollombi Brook, which was originally just under a flood watch, now have a moderate flood warning, with further rises possible in that area through the course of the evening," he said.
"There's obviously been damage to properties through water ingress into roofs as blocked gutters have overflowed.
"In the course of the day we have had a number of flood rescues with people becoming trapped or isolated in floodwater."
Mr Newtown said the SES was planning for a busy night ahead with heavy falls forecast to continue.
"We have certainly got a wet night ahead of us, through the lower Hunter and possibly into the Sydney metro area," he said.
"That rain is expected to carry on through Wednesday, with possible easing by tomorrow afternoon and into Thursday.
"The main areas of concern this evening are really up around that Central Coast area through the lower Hunter and areas just further north of there."
Mr Newtown said there was a potential for further heavy falls in the Sydney metropolitan area.
The Bureau of Meteorology said widespread total rainfalls of 30 to 60 millimetres are likely this evening, with up to 200 millimetres in some areas on the coast between Gosford and Port Macquarie.
Areas affected by the heavy rain include Newcastle, Maitland, Wallsend, Toronto, Morisset, Dungog, Nelson Bay and Raymond Terrace in the Hunter.
Wyong, The Entrance and Gosford on the Central Coast will also be affected, and further north, Taree on the mid north coast.
Mr Newton said a number of properties had been inundated across the affected areas and there may be more isolated in rural areas.
"Some of our volunteers are currently heading into a group of isolated campers in the area west of Moruya, who have chosen to stay in the area rather than risk and come out through some of the flooded crossings on the roads there," he said.
"We are also looking at evacuating campers in low-lying camp areas, particularly in the Hawks Nest area and areas around Mile Lakes which are seeing rises there which threaten those camp sites."
Campers forced to move
The torrential rain and strong winds have forced holidaymakers to abandon campsites across the Hunter and mid north coast regions.
Tracey Moore, manager of the Hawks Nest Beach Holiday Park north of Newcastle, earlier said campers were being forced to move on from the area.
"We've tried to relocate them in accommodation that we have available but others have also chosen to leave early," Ms Moore said.
"We have 275 sites and every one of them is full.
"There is water everywhere, my husband has been out in the park and it's even coming through the door in our office. It's just full on at the moment."
Crews at Eden on the NSW south coast have rescued children and animals, the SES's Jacqueline Rose said.
"There was also a rescue today where five children needed to be rescued from a vehicle and they're all safe now," she said.
"There was an animal rescue where there was 15 sheep and three cows but they're all safe."
GALLERYFlooding in southern NSW after heavy rain
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