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. 

SES warns of heavy rains on their way

BY JARROD MELMETH

The State Emergency Service is warning Hunter residents heavy rain forecast for later today has the potential to cause flash flooding.

A coastal trough, cradled between two high-pressure systems will develop along parts of the coast over the next 24-hours.

The weather bureau is forecasting up to 20mm of rain on Tuesday and up to 120mm on Wednesday with no sign of stopping until Friday.

Rachel Squires from the SES said the weather is unpredictable and residents should be prepared now.

"Clean out your gutter, make sure anything lying around in your yard is secure and keep on top of information that comes through," she said.

"You can follow [the SES] on our Facebook page, or you can follow the Bureau of Meteorology on the web - they provide information and updates on rainfall and river heights."

The SES advises people who find themselves trapped by flash flooding to seek refuge in the highest available place and ring your local SES Unit on 132 500 in emergencies.