The Illawarra is subject to a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall, which could bring as much as 140 millimetres to coastal areas within six hours.
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The Bureau of Meteorology warns these significant downpours are forecast to develop from Wednesday afternoon and could lead to flash flooding.
BoM senior hydrologist Ailsa Schofield said the heaviest falls were expected on Thursday, when isolated rainfall totals could reach as high as 200 to 250 millimetres.
"The catchments are very wet and it won't take very much rainfall for us to see flash flooding or river rises," BoM senior hydrologist Ailsa Schofield said on Tuesday.
"We therefore expect potentially dangerous road conditions and the potential for further landslips."
A flood watch is also out, with minor flooding expected on the Shoalhaven River and St Georges Basin.
Overnight Kiama recorded more than 13 millimetres of rain, while Albion Park has had 10.2 millimetres and Bellambi 8.8 millimetres.
Sandbags will be available later today for residents whose properties might be affected by flooding.
The SES will provide self-fill sandbags between 3pm and 5pm at Dapto Showground and in Judbooley Parade in Windang, next to the bowling club.
There will also be self-fill sandbags available from 9.30am at Albion Park Showground and Myimbarr Fields, near the Shellharbour Club; people are asked to bring their own shovels.
Wollongong City Council will also provide fill at Rex Jackson Oval, Helensburgh; Bellambi Foreshore Carpark; Fairy Meadow Beach car park; and Fred Finch Park Carpark, Berkeley.
People must bring their own bags and shovels to these four locations.
Where empty sandbags aren't available, the SES recommends the use of empty heavy-duty garbage or grocery bags, pillowcases, grain bags, or coffee bean hessian sacks.
NSW State Emergency Service assistant commissioner Dean Storey has urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and never drive through floodwaters.
"Time and again, SES and other emergency services need to respond to people who have made poor safety decisions by choosing to drive through floodwaters, and putting themselves, their families and emergency service responders at unnecessary risk," he said.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
