The Illawarra's resolve began to buckle in the face of relentless rainfall which turned roads into creeks, and creeks into raging torrents, closing schools and forcing people to abandon flooded homes and businesses.
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The landscape itself began to crumble as walls of water caused landslides cutting major road and rail arteries into Wollongong and damaging residential properties.
The SES was forced to make dozens of flood rescues including people trapped in cars.
A weather-weary population praying for an end to the big wet will have to endure more rain today and into the weekend with still more showers forecast next week.
READ MORE:
- Illawarra deluge: schools close, shops flood and residents bail water
- Kids in race against time to save uncle's Coledale home from floodwaters
- 'It came up real quick': Mullet Creek swamped as deluge dumps more than 100mm of rain
- Illawarra schools to close Friday due to torrential rain
- How the Illawarra fared during Thursday's downpours