Fast-moving thunderstorms have lashed much of eastern NSW including Sydney, felling trees and causing flash flooding that has left some rural communities isolated.
By 6.15pm on Monday the State Emergency Service had responded to 281 call-outs across the state, the majority for trees down, leaking roofs and requests for sandbags to prevent property inundations.
SES spokesman Andrew McCullough told AAP two people had to be rescued from vehicles caught by floodwaters at Gloucester on the Mid North Coast and at Gulgong just north of Mudgee.
He said on Monday evening around 1600 people remained isolated by floodwaters on the Mid North Coast where one man had to be rescued after he was trapped in his home near Wauchope.
"We're certainly expecting this unsettled weather to continue during the week with the occasional thunderstorm coming through and that could be anywhere across the state so we're just asking people to be prepared over the coming days."
The Bureau of Meteorology issued severe thunderstorm warnings as the system drove in from the west, hitting Penrith then across Sydney. The warnings were later extended to the Hunter region including Newcastle.
Ausgrid said a number of NSW towns and Sydney suburbs had power cuts due to the storms.
