Wild thunderstorms have lashed NSW with flash flooding inundating parts of the state and evacuation orders issued to residents. Emergency services were inundated with hundreds of pleas for assistance from across Sydney as the slow-moving, wild weather intensified, swamping roads and stranding motorists. Flights were delayed at Sydney Airport due to heavy rain and a ground stop for an aircraft that needed a priority landing. Senior meteorologist Edward Townsend-Medlock said more heavy rainfall was expected from Sydney's northern suburbs through to the Hunter Coast on Sunday morning. The wild weather is expected to weaken later today.

Source: Daily Mail January 17, 2026 22:22 UTC