Unprecedented rain has ravaged the east coast of NSW and is expected to stretch further across the state with Sydney in the firing line.

Flash flooding warnings have been issued for the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, as the storm turned deadly.

The body David Knowles, 63, was found in his flood-ravaged home on North Moto Road near Coopernook about 3pm on Wednesday.

In a separate incident, the body of man in his 30s, who has yet to be identified by police, was recovered near Rosewood on Thursday at 8am by police.

BoM has warned there is more heavy rain on the way, with forecast maps suggesting the system will spread north and south.

SES commissioner Michael Wassing said emergency crews had prepared for the weather to hit Sydney as well.

‘We’ve also got some preparation even around Sydney and there is some active rainfall events there.’

‘We have predeployed some capabilities and some management teams up into the northeast as well,’ he said. 

Image: Forecast accumulated rain during the 48 hours ending at 10pm on Friday - showing Sydney is about to cop it

Image: Forecast accumulated rain during the 48 hours ending at 10pm on Friday – showing Sydney is about to cop it

SES commissioner Michael Wassing said emergency crews have been preparing for the rain storm to reach further across the state

SES commissioner Michael Wassing said emergency crews have been preparing for the rain storm to reach further across the state

Mr Wassing said the storm has already reached lower parts of the northeast and there will be some focus into next week on winds heading to NSW’s south and southeast.

It was also confirmed on Thursday that staff from the Australian Defence Force would be deployed for search and rescue at night.

The NSW SES said it had responded to 1,023 incidents, including 339 flood rescues, in the 24 hours to 5am.

More than 100 rescues in Taree, Glenthorne, Oxley Island and Motowere were outstanding on Thursday morning.

Emergency Minister Kirsty McBain told reporters Australians are likely to experience more natural disasters, like ex-Cyclone Alfred and NSW’s flooding.

‘I don’t think that there is a question out there that climate change is having a significant impact on weather events right across the world,’ she said.

‘In Australia here, we’re not immune to that. We’re seeing more devastating events like this happen more frequently.’

She said that some communities are facing these extreme weather incidents ‘month after month’ rather than every year.

Emergency Minister Kirsty McBain has warned there will be more wild weather events occurring across Australia 'month after month' due to climate change

Emergency Minister Kirsty McBain has warned there will be more wild weather events occurring across Australia ‘month after month’ due to climate change

During an average May, the middle north coast and Hunter regions would see about 50 to 150mm of rain, Weatherzone said.

But this week, some places have registered more than 500mm over the course of three days, and over 300mm within 24 hours.

It revealed the three-day rain bomb beat the previous May monthly record of 558.2mm from 1980. Data has been available back to 1949.

The main cause of the heavy rainfall over eastern NSW has been an almost-stationary low pressure trough.

Weatherzone reported that the wet weather has been projected to contract towards southern parts of the state on Friday and clear from Saturday. 

‘Rain will continue over flood-affected areas of eastern NSW on Thursday and has also become more widespread across the state. The wet weather will gradually contract towards southern NSW on Friday and clear from the state on Saturday. 

‘The Mid North Coast and adjacent Northern Tablelands and Hunter regions could see another 50 to 100 mm of rain on Thursday, with isolated falls of 100 to 200mm. This rain should ease into Friday morning, although flooding is likely to linger beyond the end of this week. 

‘Further south, accumulated rainfall totals of 30 to 80 mm are likely over a broad area of eastern and southern NSW between Thursday and Friday. Some areas of the state’s central ranges could see about 60 to 130 mm over Thursday and Friday combined.’ 

Police have recorded two deaths over the course of 24 hours after catastrophic flooding in New South Wales after unprecedented rain

Police have recorded two deaths over the course of 24 hours after catastrophic flooding in New South Wales after unprecedented rain

Sydney hasn’t been spared from the massive amount of rain with falls of up to 50mm predicted across the city on Thursday and Friday.

In the 24 hours to midday on Thursday the city’s south and northwest recorded the heaviest rain with 31mm at Holsworthy, 26mm at Richmond, 24mm at Hornsby and 29mm at Lucas Heights. 

NSW SES advised those in low-lying areas near the Menangle Bridge and surrounds of a minor rise of the Upper Nepean River, which could result in minor flooding.

The bureau also issued a minor flooding warning for the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond.

Fortunately the rain is set to ease for the city from Saturday with partially cloudy skies forecast followed by a mostly sunny Sunday.   

Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino described the volume of rain as ‘unprecedented’.

‘The main drivers behind this week’s heavy rainfall over eastern NSW were a near-stationary low pressure trough interacting with a stagnant pool of cold upper-level air and a relentless stream of moisture-laden winds,’ he said.

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