A NSW SES volunteer died during the shocking Sydney storm.
The death, confirmed by the SES in a statement on Wednesday afternoon, was the second death during the intense storm, which has also caused traffic chaos across Sydney.
Seven News has reported the volunteer was a man in his 40s, who died while assisting with the clean-up effort in Flinders, south of Wollongong.
The BoM's weather radar as wild weather moves over Sydney. Source: Supplied
A 14-year-old boy was killed in a car crash in Thornleigh, in Sydney’s Upper North Shore, on Wednesday morning.
Police said the boy was a passenger in a car which crashed head on with another vehicle.
A report will now be prepared for the coroner after the SES volunteer’s death.
Council workers clear a drain as a car drives through floodwaters on Railway Terrace in Lewisham. Source: AAP
The heaviest falls have hit the continent’s southeast, where the huge deluge has just propelled Sydney past its annual rainfall record of 2.2 metres with three months to go until year’s end. Source: AAP
“NSW State Emergency Service can confirm that a NSW SES volunteer member has passed away after collapsing today whilst on duty,” the organisation’s statement read.
“NSW SES Commissioner Mark Smethurst and the NSW SES family send our heartfelt condolences to the family and fellow Unit members.”
Two police officers were also injured during the storm after a tree came down on them as they tried to help drivers trapped by flood waters in North Ryde.
A probationary constable has a suspected broken leg and the other officer is being assessed for possible concussion.
Further wild weather – including storms, flash flooding and possible hail – is expected to soak Sydney on Wednesday night.
The NSW State Emergency Service has received more than 100 calls for help and 15 rescues.
The weather grounded more than 130 flights as a month’s worth of rain dumped on Sydney in just two hours.
Commuters face a long way on the way home. Source: Charlotte Meredith/Facebook
Trains and buses are facing major delays across Sydney thanks to the evening’s heavy rain.
Social media users have been sharing images and video of the wild weather under the hashtag #SydneyStorm.
Cancelled flights at Sydney Airport. Source: Ricardo Goncalves
STORM UPDATE: It’s been a busy morning so far for our emergency crews with flooding and lightning causing outages. Power is still out to about 5,200 customers in parts of Sydney’s north and the CBD. #sydneystorm
At one point water was seen bursting through the walls at Woolworths supermarket at Town Hall station.
Rob Taggart from the Bureau of Meteorology told the ABC it's the wettest November day since 1984 and the wettest day since April 2015.
With 91mm falling in 90 minutes, Mr Taggart described it as "basically the equivalent of a one in 100 year event".
He predicted the rain would intensify over parts of Sydney early Wednesday afternoon after the mid-morning's "bit of a lull".
NSW Police are urging motorists to "take extra care on the roads today with horrendous weather currently lashing Sydney".
