Torrential rain wrought havoc across the Wollongong and Shellharbour areas on Thursday, turning roads into rivers and inundating homes and businesses.
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A weather station at Mount Pleasant recorded 126 millimetres in five and a half hours, while 54 millimetres was captured at Cringila in that same time.
The NSW State Emergency Service attended more than 680 calls for help in the Illawarra, South Coast and Greater Sydney areas in the 24 hours to 1pm.
These included 25 flood rescues, mostly resulting from flash flooding.
"We have seen exceptionally sharp, short bursts of rain that have created significant flash flooding events around parts of the Illawarra, particularly this morning, where we've recently undertaken in excess of half a dozen flood rescues for people who have been caught out," acting SES commissioner Daniel Austin said.
A dramatic rescue took place near Kangaroo Valley late in the morning, when a man was winched to safety by a NSW Rural Fire Service helicopter after his car was swept off a causeway on Sawyers Creek.
The man had five dogs with him, which were retrieved from the vehicle unharmed once the water had later subsided.
Over 500 SES volunteers were out on Thursday helping people across the affected areas.
But Mr Austin said community preparation had reduced the number of calls for assistance.
Meanwhile, thousands of Illawarra students were sent home as schools closed early due to concerns about safety and access, with all public schools in the region to remain closed on Friday.
Numerous roads were flooded right across Wollongong and Shellharbour, and water got into houses and businesses.
Jake and Nicole McGowan's home in Nicholson Street, Woonona was among them, with about an inch of water going through their lounge room, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor.
Mr McGowan said the flooding was sudden; his wife was upstairs playing with their 15-month-old son Jaxon and noticed people outside, then looked downstairs to discover the home had become swamped.
They've now moved in with Mrs McGowan's parents while they clean up and await repairs to their home.
Lachlan Street in Thirroul, which flooded for the second time in as many weeks, was transformed into a raging torrent thanks to a swollen Hewitts Creek, while Pioneer Road in Bellambi was impassable for some time when the area near the creek became inundated.
Bellambi resident Stephanie Truscott and her husband Rhys Marshall were out helping people on Pioneer Road protect against flash flooding yesterday morning.
While the water crept to within 10 centimetres of their front door, Ms Truscott said, they were more concerned for their neighbours, some of whom were older, who had the water lapping at their doorstep.
But she said they did get a "bit worried" about the height of the water and moved some belongings in their home in case they did experience any flooding inside.
Pioneer Road resident Craig Curtis made a quick dash home after working away when he heard about the risk of flooding.
The water came just inside his home, but he said it dropped quickly and otherwise did not affect the house too badly. However, Mr Curtis said the backyard was under about a foot of water at its peak.
Picton CBD was also subject to an evacuation warning as Stonequarry Creek came close to overflowing.
But it wasn't only flooding that Illawarra residents had to contend with, with multiple landslips also reported throughout the region.
Part of Thirroul resident Kate Fisher's backyard was lost to the ocean at Kennedy's Hill.
Mrs Fisher said the landslip began on March 28, "dropping little by little", but she awoke yesterday morning to find the earth had given way entirely.
"Initially the slip was just at the top but now it goes all the way down to the bottom," she said.
Mrs Fisher said the landslip was well away from the house and she didn't think it would creep any closer to the house, but "it's worrying not knowing what's destabilising now that it's exposed to this rain".
It was just the outer border of the backyard, she said, and about a third of the length of lantana growing there was gone.
However, with humour she noted there was a silver lining: "It's done wonders for our view," Mrs Fisher said.
More rain to come
Rain is forecast to continue across the Illawarra on Friday and into the weekend, although the heaviest downpours have passed.
But Bureau of Meteorology senior hydrologist Ailsa Schofield said the risk of flash flooding would continue in the coming days.
There is a possibility of severe thunderstorms on Friday, which could bring more heavy rain.
Wollongong and Kiama are forecast to receive 20 to 30 millimetres on Friday, while Albion Park can expect 25 to 40 millimetres.
"If you're planning on travelling into the weekend with your friends and family - we do have school holidays coming up - not only do you need to be aware of the weather and flood situation in your local area, but you also need to be aware of the areas that you're travelling through and travelling to," Ms Schofield 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.
