Wild weather that thrashed parts of Queensland yesterday continues to pummel New South Wales and Tasmania, with warnings of heavy rain, winds and flash floods.
A ferry terminal is submerged by the overflowing Parramatta river in Sydney. Photo: AFP
Severe weather warnings were issued for destructive winds, heavy rainfall, abnormally high tides and damaging surf in the Metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra, South Coast and parts of the Hunter, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains districts.
Evacuation notices were issued for Northern Lismore, Chipping Norton, Billinudgel, Ocean Shores, Golden Beach, New Brighton and Coffs Creek.
Floodwaters submerge a road after the Georges River burst its banks in Sydney. Photo: AFP
NSW Minister for Emergency Services David Elliot confirmed the State Emergency Service had received more than 7200 calls for help and carried out more than 100 flood rescues in the past 48 hours.
The SES issued a flood evacuation warning for residents living along the Georges River in Sydney's south-west, which was expected to reach 3m deep at Milperra and Picnic Point.
The organisation also pleaded with the public not to attempt to drive through flooded roads.
Residents watch the overflowing Parramatta river that submerged a ferry terminal in Sydney. Photo: AFP
The wet weather caused minor flood damage to the maternity unit at Mona Vale Hospital with women coming into labour asked to present to Manly Hospital.
Authorities also expressed concern that the highest tide of the year was due to coincide with the storm about 8:30pm local time, with severe coastal erosion already taking place.
The SES was knocking on residents' doors and advising them to be prepared in case they had to be evacuated.
At 8.45pm local time the organisation tweeted that there were more than 50 flood rescues taking place at once in the Sydney Metro area.
The severe weather cut power to about 60,000 homes and businesses in the Shoalhaven region, though it was restored before 5pm local time.
Approximately 26,000 more homes in Sydney and Central Coast had also lost power.
Major flooding was expected to peak in the Lismore area this afternoon with more than 500 people evacuated from North Lismore.
Sydney Airport closed two of its three runways due to the strong winds, affecting all incoming and outgoing flights. One of those runways was expected to reopen about 8.45pm.
A spokeswoman said airline passengers might experience delays and they were urged to contact their carriers for more information.
Coffs Harbour, where some were trapped on boats after a boardwalk was badly damaged. Photo: ABC / Screenshot
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said up to 200mm of rain was expected to fall within 24 hours on the NSW coast, with heavier rainfall expected around Sydney and further south into the afternoon.
A flood watch was issued for 23 New South Wales rivers, many in the state's north.
The weather system also extended to Tasmania, with an "exceptional" huge swell expected to hit Tasmania's north-east tomorrow.
Roads across Tasmania's north and northwest were blocked as weather continued to deteriorate.
TasNetworks said about 3.30pm nearly 5000 homes and businesses were without power across Tasmania's north and north-west, with reconnection times yet to be confirmed.
An infrared satellite image of Australia's south-east coast at 6pm. Photo: MetService
The state was predicted to receive up to 200mm of rain in the coming days, with warnings of flash flooding.
"That north-easterly swell's actually getting up to the six to seven-metre mark on Monday which is very, very, large for our secondary swell," BoM forecaster Tim Bolden said.
"Typically we only see those swell heights in our south-westerly stream. So it's an exceptional swell for the east coast."
Drivers are trapped by rising floodwaters in New South Wales. Photo: ABC / Screenshot
Queensland 'dodged a bullet'
Meanwhile, authorities were continuing to mop up across south-east Queensland after the weather yesterday unleashed heavy rainfall, powerful winds and abnormally high tides.
Flooding inundated cars and affected more than 30 roads, including the Bruce Highway, and rain persisted along the Gold Coast into Saturday evening, although much of it was just off the coast.
The Bruce Highway had since reopened but many roads remained closed across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology said that since Friday morning, 382mm of rain had fallen at Upper Springbrook in the Gold Coast hinterland, while nearby Mount Tamborine received 357mm.
By 2pm on Saturday, power had been cut to 4517 properties on the Gold Coast, with 119 properties blacked out in Noosa and 58 in Brisbane.
Power was restored in most areas by late Saturday afternoon.
Assistant Commissioner for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Kevin Walsh said the SES responded to more than 1000 calls for help.
"There was no major structural damage, there were quite a lot of leaky roofs and there was some inundation of homes and businesses but far and away we dodged a bullet," he said.
"We were lucky, I think, that there was no major damage, and we were really pleased with the messaging that went out to the community because they did heed most of the warnings - we only had a few people out in the flooded waters."
The downpours quickly flooded dozens of roads in Brisbane yesterday morning, including some in the CBD and West End, and cars were submerged at Toombul on the city's north side.
The wild weather also forced the cancellation of scores of events, including the official reopening of the Eagle Farm Racecourse.
- ABC