As heavy rain persists in parts of NSW, two bodies have been recovered and flood warnings remain in place, especially close to the rivers.
With rain predictions remaining for north of the state for Thursday and Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued flood warnings for the northern part of the state.
BoM forecaster Helen Reid said while the rain is likely to ease on Friday, it is expected to continue through the weekend.
“We are likely to see the impacts of any flooding that develops continuing into next week,” she said.
“Recently, the wet weather conditions have caused the rivers in north-east New South Wales to react swiftly to the overnight rain.”
Which areas are facing flood warnings?
Rainfall is likely to result in minor to isolated major flooding along the North West Slopes, according to BoM, while minor to moderate flooding is also possible in the mid-north coast, Hunter, Colo and Nepean rivers, from late Thursday.
The Bureau of Meteorology has announced a significant flood alert for areas around the Namoi River, as well as a moderate flood warning for the Peel River region.
NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has issued 30 warnings for different areas in the state, including an advice to people in Calala to “prepare to isolate”.
Port Macquarie recorded more than 141 millimetres in the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday, while some areas in south-east Queensland received more than 50mm of rain.
Debbie Platz, NSW SES deputy commissioner, told ABC News: “We’ve had significant rain right up and down the east coast of New South Wales, but also significant rain inland as well.”
“These conditions are expected to result in flash flooding and cause the rivers to rise again,” she stated.
Two bodies recovered
Two bodies have been located during a search after a car crashed into a river near Wisemans Ferry during heavy rain and possible flooding on Wednesday night.
NSW Police said three men — a father and two sons — were in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
One 24-year-old man managed to escape and reach the riverbank after the car went into the Macdonald River at St Albans, north-west of Sydney, just before midnight.
Police divers discovered the bodies on Thursday, which are yet to be formally identified.
The NSW SES has responded to 430 incidents over the last 24 hours, according to Platz.
— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press
