Flights were cancelled and trains suspended as intense rain and flash flooding wreaked havoc in Sydney on Wednesday morning.
The NSW State Emergency Service said it had made six flood rescues, with more expected.
Drivers have been told to stay off the roads but public transport across the city has been similarly affected.
Social media users have been sharing images and video of the morning under the hashtag #SydneyStorm.
While passengers at Sydney Airport faced long delays and cancelled flights.
Bureau of Meteorology severe weather manager Simon Louis said the rain wasn't expected to last long but "quite intense" falls would develop in the morning and persist through the afternoon.
Cancelled flights at Sydney Airport. Source: Ricardo Goncalves
He expects many areas to receive 50 to 100mm with some localised parts exceeding 150mm.
Sydney's average rainfall for November is 84mm.
"It's not that unusual to have weather event give you a month's worth of rain in 24 hours... but it is always associated with risks such as creeks coming up and roads being awash," Mr Louis said.
Minor to moderate flash flooding is possible along the Hawkesbury, Nepean, Cooks and Georges rivers, the bureau says.
It has warned road users to take extreme care as reduced visibility in heavy rain will make road conditions dangerous in all suburbs around the state.
NSW Police said drivers, riders, cyclists and pedestrians needed to take extra care, increase their visibility with headlights and bright clothing and increase braking distances.
"We're asking all road users to perhaps reconsider the need to be on the road through what will be a severe rain event," Chief Inspector Phillip Brooks told reporters on Tuesday.
SES Assistant Commissioner Scott Hanckel even advised people try to arrange to work from home if possible.
He was hopeful the SES would have thousands of volunteers available to call on across the South Coast, Hunter and Sydney metro areas, should people need help with fallen trees or flooding.
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