Heavy rain drenching Australia's southeast coast has caused flash flooding and road closures, leaving residents on alert.
Some 85 warnings are in place across NSW on Sunday, with campers at a reserve on the Murrumbidgee River in Wagga Wagga and Dubbo's Western Plains Tourist Park on the Macquarie River advised to leave.
Residents along the Hawkesbury River west of Sydney have been told to prepare to evacuate with dangerous flooding predicted.
An emergency warning has already been issued for people to evacuate Gronos Point at Wilberforce on the Hawkesbury River northwest of Sydney.
Major flood risks
The NSW State Emergency Service is advising residents in the flood-prone Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment at Windsor, Sackville, Lower Portland, North Richmond, Penrith and Menangle to stay informed about the evolving conditions on Sunday, with flooding predicted.
Supercars enthusiasts camping at the Bathurst 1000 have been warned of stormy and potentially dangerous conditions over the weekend. Source: AAP / Murray McCloskey
The NSW SES performed 21 rescues overnight, assistant commissioner Dean Storey told ABC News on Sunday.
"The majority of those were people attempting to drive through floodwaters and getting stuck, putting themselves, their families and the emergency service rescuers' lives at a very, very high risk," he said.
Widespread flooding is expected to continue for days or even weeks, Mr Storey said.
"The SES is out in the community, working with those community members to make them aware and supporting them if they're experiencing flooding," he said.
Rescue and relief efforts
The NSW State Emergency Service had performed six rescues and responded to 330 calls for help over a 24-hour period as of Saturday afternoon.
Towns and properties were cut off by flash flooding, and roads across the state were closed due to the conditions.
The Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) Jane Golding said the rain would intensify throughout Saturday into early Sunday east of the Great Dividing Range, with the storm system creating the downpour travelling from the state's west to the coast.
It will begin easing by midday, with some sunshine forecast for the start of the week.
"The good news is this system is moving through pretty quickly and we should have a couple of days of reprieve," Ms Golding said.
'Don't put your life at risk'
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet urged people to stay safe, be cautious on the roads and avoid driving through flood waters.
"Don't put your life at risk, your family at risk or our volunteers at risk," he said.
In Victoria, heavy rain drowned out a wine and music festival on Saturday, with major flood warnings for parts of the state even as rain eased.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet urged people to stay safe, be cautious on the roads and avoid driving through flood waters. Source: AAP / Jason O'Brien
In the state's central west, Bathurst 1000 fans were soaked by 100mm of rain, and one event was called off due to torrential rain, but the main race is still scheduled to go ahead on Sunday morning.
In Victoria, emergency services issued a watch and act message for communities in central and northeast parts, including the towns of Charlton, Avoca, Laanecoorie and Cowra near the Murray River.
Organisers cancelled one of Saturday's racing events with the wild weather causing chaos for drivers on the Mount Panorama track. Sunday's race is still scheduled to go ahead.
Up to 100mm could drench the tens of thousands of fans attending and potentially trigger flooding along the Macquarie River in Bathurst.
Free sandbags are available in the town, while volunteers are checking in with residents and tourists camping on the river's banks.
Mr Perrottet urged attendees to look out for each other when they headed home on Sunday, with the end of the event likely to see packed roads.
Renewed risks
NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York urged people to remain vigilant throughout the coming week.
"It is important to remember that the rains will pass and the sun will come out, but the rivers may still be rising," she said.
Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said NSW was only eight days into its storm season and flooding was impacting rural, regional and remote communities.
"It is expected to do so for weeks and in fact, months ahead," Ms Cooke said.
