ROADS were closed and hundreds of calls flooded in to the State Emergency Service as a severe weather system swept across the region on Monday.
The significant morning downpour saw Williamtown record 48.4mm of rain in just one hour. By 3pm the same weather station had recorded 129mm.
"The Hunter and the Central Coast were the focus of that rainfall system," forecaster David Wilke from the Bureau of Meteorology said.
"Mount Elliott, which is inland from Terrigal, recorded 192mm to 9am. There were several locations which saw rainfall up around the 100mm in the last 24 hours. Newcastle University had 84mm, Mangrove Mountain had 98mm and 128mm at Gosford."
A severe weather warning, which had remained in place across the Greater Hunter for most of the day, was lifted just after 6.30pm. Flash flooding, heavy rain and wind gusts averaging 60 to 70 kilometres an hour caused mayhem on the region's roads.
Several main thoroughfares were closed to motorists due to water over the road. Four drivers had to be rescued from flood waters in different incidents during the day, including one motorist who attempted to cross a flooded road with children in the car.
"We did half a dozen flood rescues," SES Northern Region commander Steve Patterson said.
"Some were to move stock from flooded paddocks and four rescues where people had driven into flood waters.
"If you see water over the road, turn around and find another way. Don't enter flood water because it is the emergency service people who put their lives at risk to rescue you."
More than 300 calls for SES assistance came in for the Greater Hunter between midnight Friday and Monday afternoon. About 70 volunteers were deployed to help residents, most of who experienced roof leaks after the heavy rainfall.
NSW police also warned people to "get off the road" if they see flash flooding, landslides or debris on their route.
"It has been a while since we've had significant rainfall," state emergency operations controller, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said. "If the road conditions get dangerous - things like flash flooding, mud or landslides, debris or trees on the road - get off the road and wait somewhere away from trees, drains and low-lying areas and floodwaters."
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