Multiple flood rescues as New South Wales deluge delivers 100 mm in three hours
Heavy rain and thunderstorms inundated parts of New South Wales on Thursday into Friday morning, with the State Emergency Service performing five flood rescues and responding to more than 300 incidents in 24 hours.
Widespread rain and storms impacted parts of eastern and northern NSW over the last couple of days as a low pressure system interacted with a steady stream of moisture-laden air. This system was amplified by an upper-level pool of cold air, which enhanced atmospheric instability and resulted in intense rainfall.
Some of the standout rainfall totals during the 24 hours ending at 9am on Friday, May 29, included:
- 161 mm at Careys Peak
- 143 mm at Mount Barrington
- 127 mm at Comboyne
- 106 mm at Markwell
- 102 mm at Bulahdelah
- 93 mm at Bateau Bay and Lisarow
- 51 mm at Woolbrook and Nundle
Image: Estimated rainfall during the 24 hours to 9am on Friday, May 29, 2026. Source: Weatherzone.
Intense rainfall developed over parts of the Hunter and Mid North Coast districts on Thursday afternoon and night as the low intensified near the NSW coast.
A rain gauge at Comboyne registered 101 mm in the three hours ending at 11:45 pm, while Careys Peak in the Barrington Tops collected 58 mm in three hours earlier in the afternoon. In Newcastle, rainfall totals during the 24 hours to 9am on Friday reached 73 mm at Nobbys Head and 69 mm at Williamtown. These were both the highest daily rain totals so far this year.
Heavy rain also fell in northern NSW, where the Newell Highway was closed between Moree and Boggabilla late on Thursday due to flooding over the road.
The heavy rain and flooding on Thursday into Friday morning saw the SES responding to 321 incidents during the 24 hours ending at 8 am on Friday. This included flood rescues at Erina Heights, Narara, Ourimbah and Holgate, where cars had become trapped in floodwater.
Rain will continue to affect parts of northeast NSW on Friday, however rainfall will ease during the afternoon and evening as the low pressure system moves away from the coast and tracks out over the Tasman Sea.