Illawarra faces a wild weekend of rough weather

On Friday the Tour De France cycling event L'Etape became the highest-profile casualty of the predicted heavy conditions, with the race, set for Kiama this weekend, postponed until December.

By mid-afternoon on Thursday, heavy storms had started hitting parts of the coast and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) had issued severe weather warnings for the northern coastal areas of NSW.

Read more: Flooding closes Illawarra Highway at Macquarie Pass

These conditions are expected to spread south to the Illawarra on Friday and the weekend, with Saturday forecast to be the wettest day for the region.

The State Emergency Service (SES) issued a Flood Watch bulletin warning of heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding, which could affect local roads, creeks and recreational areas.

Up to 200mm is predicted to fall on Wollongong on Saturday, after up to 45mm predicted for Friday. Thunderstorms may develop both days while winds are set to reach 45km/h early on Saturday.

SES zone commander Colin Malone advised people to never drive, walk or play in floodwaters.

"People in areas that may be impacted by flooding should prepare their properties and homes," he said in the bulletin.

"Stay up to date with information. Listen to flood warnings and follow the advice on how to protect yourself, family and property.

"Keep your pets close by, always know where they are. Check on your family, friends and neighbours and share this information."

L'Etape organisers thanked the local residents and business owners for their understanding over the event's forced cancellation - which came after it was put off from its original time of November last year, forced by the pandemic.

"We are looking forward to bringing the Tour de France to Kiama, the Shoalhaven and the Southern Highlands at the end of the year," they said.

The sodden conditions will continue well into next week, with the BOM predicting a 90 per cent chance of rain for Sunday and Monday.

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