Flash flooding hits Sydney after severe thunderstorm brings deluge

Parts of Sydney have experienced flash flooding this afternoon after a severe thunderstorm brought heavy rainfall.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Greater Sydney and Wollongong at midday which has since moved and the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury area are now in the firing line.

"Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely," the bureau said.

Flash flooding in Sutherland Shire.

Some parts of Sydney saw sudden flooding, with water reaching up to the tops of car tyres.

Traffic along Taren Point Road is currently heavy after the street was inundated by floodwaters.

Sydney Trains also issued an alert for delays on the South Coast line after flooding was recorded at Coalcliff, near Wollongong.

https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1507181296639959049

A severe thunderstorm warning is also in place for the Northern Rivers, Metropolitan, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, Upper Western and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Locations that may be the hardest hit include flood-ravaged areas such as Lismore, Tenterfield, Walgett, Byron Bay, Casino and Kyogle.

"Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Metropolitan district," the BoM said.

The BoM has also issued flood warnings for the Northern Rivers area.

"Minor to Major Flood Warning issued for the Narran, Birrie, Bokhara, and Culgoa Rivers at Brenda, Goodooga, and Angeldool," the BoM said.

Current flood warnings can be found here.

Queensland

A severe thunderstorm warning is also in place for the Gold Coast area as the storm moves north from NSW.

https://twitter.com/BOM_Qld/status/1507205990604845066

The BoM has warned of damaging winds, heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

NSW and Queensland residents are both warned not to drive through floodwaters.