A group of Wollongong partygoers had an unexpected stop during their limousine journey on Saturday afternoon, after they became stuck in floodwaters on Springhill Road.
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Fire and Rescue NSW were called out to an "in water rescue" about 4pm, with reports that a vehicle had become stuck in the water.
Fire crews were able to walk eight people inside the car to safety, and police were called to manage the traffic issues caused by the flooding.
Mercury photographer Sylvia Liber was caught up in the surrounding traffic chaos, and managed to snap some photos of the limousine passengers, who appeared in good spirits.
Despite being drenched, barefooted and splashed by the spray from passing cars, they were all smiles as they posed and captured the experience on their own phones.
Springhill Road, which was closed in both directions around the time of the incident, was one of a number of roads in southern Wollongong being affected by Saturday's repeated sudden downpours.
There was also a significant amount of water over the road on Corrimal Street, Beach Street and Bank Street, on the southern edge of Wollongong City which is routinely affected by flooding.
The SES, which responded to dozens of jobs across northern Wollongong on Saturday, has warned that short heavy bursts of rain could lead to flash flooding.
Read more: Wollongong's on water spout watch
Motorists are reminded to never drive through floodwaters.
According to a rainfall totals map on the Bureau of Meteorology website, Illawarra locations have been the rainiest places in NSW on Saturday.
Weather stations at Rixons Pass, Bulli (65mm) and Russell Vale Colliery (56mm) recording the most rain since 9am.
Mount Pleasant recorded 38mm and Port Kembla recorded 35mm.
While these rain totals are not as high as some of those recorded in late February, the bureau has warned that flash flooding is likely due to the ground being wetter than usual after recent heavy rains.
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Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
