A WOMAN has died after a falling tree branch struck her during heavy rain at Lake Macquarie.
Police said the woman was bushwalking in the Watagans National Park at Cooranbong about 6.30pm on Sunday when emergency services were called to the scene.
Paramedics, firefighters and Lake Macquarie police officers were called to the scene.
"Despite the efforts of relatives and first responders, the woman, believed to be aged in her 30s, was unable to be revived," police said in a statement on Monday.
"At the time of the incident, weather conditions were poor, with the area being drenched by heavy rain throughout the day."
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
It is the third death in the Hunter in four days.
The NSW State Emergency Service warns parts of Scone may become isolated by minor to moderate flooding when levels exceed three metres on Monday morning, with the Scone to Merriwa thoroughfare expected to shut.
"Moderate rainfall across the Hunter River catchment over the weekend has caused river level rises along the Hunter River and its tributaries," the emergency service said in a statement.
"Communities in and around Aberdeen and Muswellbrook need to closely monitor the situation and plan ahead around possible road closures and inundation of low-lying areas."
Upper Hunter Shire Council confirmed the following road closures have been put in place:
- Barton St
- Bow Creek and Killoe Creek on the Ringwood road in Merriwa
- Bow Creek Idaville Road
- Cliftlands Road, Scone
- Cressfield Rd closed at Dry Creek causeway and Middlebrook causeway
- Glenbawn Rd closed at Pages crossing
- Gundy Entrance at Arrowfield
- Kingdon Creek
- Kingdon Ponds
- Leighton Park Bridge
- Murulla Causeway Murrurundi
- Nandowra Road between Moobi and Rossgole roads is now closed due to large amounts of water across various locations along the road
- New England Highway, Parkville
- Parsons Gully (main entry/exit to Bill Rose)
- Concrete boulders have been removed on Orthes St to provide access emergency access if require
- Sandy Creek crossing on Dartbrook Road, Aberdeen
- Segenhoe Road- Tomallo Rd
- Turanville Road
- Wallington Rd closed at causeway (near Parkville)
- Waverly St and Park Crossings, Scone
- Bill Rose Sports Complex is closed to all visitors and residents. That includes the playground, exercise area, all the facilities and footbridge.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts Newcastle's chance of rain as 60 per cent or above until at least Monday next week.
Showers are forecast across the region over the next week.
Those chasing waves will fare little better on Monday, with large and powerful surf conditions expected in the afternoon and evening likely to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
