Severe Weather Warning In Place For The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

 A Severe Weather Warning has been issued for Damaging Winds in the Hunter.

The Bureau says a strong southerly winds are expected to develop along the coast on Thursday afternoon gusting up to 90 km/hr.

The SES says residents should move vehicles under cover or away from trees and secure loose items around the home.

The winds are expected to ease early Friday morning as the low pressure system moves offshore.

There's also a 90 per cent chance of rain in Newcastle, while large and powerful surf conditions will be hazardous for swimmers, rock fishers and surfers.

Roads begin to flood across Hunter amidst wild weather

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

UPDATE 2:30PM

The Bureau of Meteorology says a line of thunderstorms is currently passing through Redhead and is set to affect Charlestown, Boolaroo and Lake Macquarie.

The storms are now going to hit Newcastle, West Wallsend and Cardiff.

The SES have already responded to around 55 calls across the Hunter, many of which were requests for sandbags.

Residents looking to secure sandbags for their property are being encouraged to attend SES supply points at these locations:

Singleton: 9-11 Queen Street, Singleton.
Dungog: Clarence Town Road, Dungog.
Maitland: Waterworks Road, Rutherford.
Tomaree: Sandy Point Road, Corlette.
Newcastle: 75 Elizabeth Street, Newcastle.

65 millimetres of rain has fallen today at the Barrington Tops, while Dungog received over 100 millimetres within an hour this morning.

There have been reports of rainwater on the road at University Drive at Callaghan, as well as pooling water on Lookout Road near McCaffrey Drive.

In Wallsend, the Upper Reserve is already underwater, while drains near Wallsend Plaza are filling up quickly.

Try to avoid driving through Cardiff - Main Road and Fern Valley Road are flooded.

The SES say they have 300 volunteers at the ready to be deployed wherever they are required across the Hunter as the onslaught continues.

The Bureau of Meteorology still expect around 100 to 200 millimetres to fall across Newcastle and the Lower Hunter over the next 24 hours, while a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in place. 

Drivers risk it on flooding Cardiff Roads. Image: SRC.