Chilling footage shows water filling Sydney's busiest tollway tunnel as two bodies are pulled from floodwaters - and tens of thousands are told to evacuate as unprecedented rain event floods the city and surrounds
Frightening video has emerged of one of Sydney's busiest motorways filling with water as two bodies are pulled from floodwaters and tens of thousands are told to evacuate their homes.
Millions of Greater Sydney residents have been told to expect a tough '24 to 48 hours' as Australia's east coast is battered by torrential rain and dangerous gale-force winds. The flood crisis escalated on Tuesday afternoon with areas of Penrith, in the greater west, and Manly, in the northern beaches, underwater.
Meanwhile, incredible vision surfaced from inside Sydney's M5 motorway showing cars motoring through ankle-deep water and train lines flooded at Campbelltown.
At least 150mm of rain is forecast to fall across the region on Tuesday - more than 90mm having dumped before 9am alone - with residents of suburbs in the city's south and south-east told to evacuate.
Two bodies, believed to be those of missing mother Hemalathasolhyr Satchithanantham and her 34-year-old son Bramoothand, have been found near a stormwater canal where their hatchback was found on Monday.
While the bodies are yet to be identified, sources believe they are those of the missing mother and son.
Incredible vision from inside Sydney's major M5 motorway saw cars driving through ankle-deep water, as floodwaters seeped in overnight and caused chaos for drivers (pictured)
Central Avenue in Manly, in Sydney's northern beaches, was flooded with ankle-deep water by Tuesday afternoon, with residents who parked their car in a nearby carpark unable to escape
Train lines at Campbelltown were flooded during the early hours of Tuesday morning with commuters told to avoid the city's rail network completely and expect major delays
Penthurst Street and Lea Avenue in the suburb of Willoughby on Sydney's Lower North Shore, are flooded, with residents told to avoid the roads 'at all costs' as the flood crisis deepens
Two bodies, believed to be those of missing mother Hemalathasolhyr Satchithanantham (left) and her 34-year-old son Bramoothand, (right) have been found near where a car was abandoned in a stormwater canal in Sydney's west
The Bureau of Meteorology's Dean Narramore this morning warned that flooding is expected across the coast from Queensland to the Victorian border.
'(There's a) tough 24 hours or even 48 hours ahead,' he said. 'Even if the rain does stop on Wednesday and Thursday, which it will, there's still a lot of water in these rivers.'
Mr Narramore said the amount of rainfall is already greater than last week's 'rain bomb' and is approaching levels that occurred during the floods in March last year.
The NSW State Emergency Service has issued urgent evacuation orders for a number of suburbs including Chipping Norton, Georges Hall, and parts of Holsworthy, Lansvale and Milperra.
Other suburbs affected told to evacuate immediately include parts of Moorebank, parts of Warwick Farm, Picnic Point, Pleasure Point and Sandy Point.
'If you remain in the area you may be trapped without power, water and other essential services and it may be too dangerous to rescue you,' the order states.
The SES has predicted even more torrential rain on Tuesday will create dangerous conditions in the Mid North Coast, Sydney, Hunter, South Coast and Illawarra.
The Bureau of Meteorology's Dean Narramore warned there was more to come with minor to major flooding occurring from Queensland to the Victorian border across the already saturated state
Camden, in Sydney's southwest, has been particularly hard-hit by the widespread flooding, with properties and businesses underwater for the second time in less than a week
State Emergency Service volunteers launch an inflatable rescue boat in Camden, in the Sydney's south-west, as the suburb is inundated by raging floodwaters
Tens of thousands of Sydneysiders have been told to brace for a tough 24 hours ahead as the city is battered with an incessant deluge and floodwaters threaten homes and livelihoods (pictured, floodwaters in Petersham)
At least 150mm of rain is forecast to fall across Sydney on Tuesday, as residents in the city's south and southeast are urged to evacuate their homes immediately as floodwaters continue to rise (pictured, a flooded petrol station in Camden on Tuesday)
'Heavy rain has caused flash flooding and river height rises overnight across these locations and further heavy rainfall, flash flooding and river rises are possible today,' it said about 5am on Tuesday.
'Strong winds are expected which could cause trees and powerlines to fall. Landslides are also possible, which could block roads.'
Damaging winds strong enough to bring down power lines and topple trees are forecast to wreak further chaos as those affected by the floods are urged to unplug household appliances during the flash flooding.
BoM also instructed residents to avoid using their phones during storms, keep clear of creeks and storm drains and keep children and pets inside wherever possible.
NSW State Emergency Service commissioner Carlene York said the major areas of concern across NSW are Kempsey, Coroki, the Georges and Hawkesbury-Nepean River, Shoalhaven, St Georges Basin and Sussex Inlet.
Residents on 10 low-lying streets in Sussex Inlet have been ordered to evacuate by 12pm on Tuesday as floodwaters rise in the St Georges basin.
Sydney commuters have been told to avoid all non-essential travel in the face of wet and wild conditions and ditch the city's rail network entirely.
Damaging winds in excess of 90km/hour are forecast for the Sydney metropolitan area, the Illawarra and those who live on the coast.
Some areas between Sydney and Ulladulla on the South Coast have received 100mm to 200mm of rain since 9am on Monday.
However, in welcome news to communities on the Mid North Coast and the Hunter region, rain appears to have eased for the time being.
Emergency Service Commissioner Carlene York said there were about 60,000 people impacted by floods warnings and about 800 people relying on emergency accommodation.
The SES performed 100 flood rescues in the 24 hours to 6:30am on Monday and responded to 2400 calls for help. 
Residents in parts of Camden (pictured) were told to evacuate by 9pm on Monday or risk while other Camden residents were given until midnight to leave their homes
Sydney, Liverpool and Terrey Hills could be hit with 50 to 80 millimetres of rain on Tuesday (pictured, a flooded property in Camden, 65km from Sydney's CBD)
Camden has been issued a severe thunderstorm warning with 'intense rainfall' with properties, businesses flooded after incessant rainfall over the region
In the 24 hours to 2pm on Monday, the NSW SES had received more than 1290 calls for help and performed 25 flood rescues (pictured, an aerial view of flooded Camden)
Les Hallack is just one of many Camden locals preparing for the worst.
On Monday night he helped his wife and two children evacuate to his mother in laws' while he stayed behind to guard his home.
The road in front of his house has turned into a lake and his garage and front yard is completely flooded. The front gate to his home is nearly invisible.
'I've moved everything up to the second floor so everything inside is dry at the moment,' he said.
'But if the water reaches this step, I'm gone,' he said pointing to the front steps leading onto his veranda.
'We recently moved here from Victoria so we had to deal with everything with Covid down there and now this.'
On Monday night Les Hallack (pictured on his front steps in Camden) helped his wife and two children evacuate to his mother in laws' while he stayed behind to guard his home
The road in front of Mr Hallack's house has turned into a lake and his garage and front yard is completely flooded. The front gate to his home is nearly invisible (pictured)
Across the road from the towns beloved bowls club and Bruce Turton's beach sports and barefoot bowls, a group of locals decided to wait out the bad weather with a couple of beers (pictured)
With more rain on the way and parts of the town underwater, the group (pictured) said there was simply 'nothing else to do'
Across the road from the towns beloved bowls club and Bruce Turton's beach sports and barefoot bowls, a group of locals decided to wait out the bad weather with a couple of beers.
With more rain on the way and parts of the town underwater, the group said there was simply 'nothing else to do'.
Just behind them was the remnants of Mr Turtons bowls fields - which he took over six years ago - and nearby tennis courts were completely submerged.
With the bowls fields now deep underwater and sand volleyball courts destroyed, he now thinks he will have to close down the business for good.
'We've got bookings this weekend and they're all gone. It'll be hard to reopen … it's won't happen. It's been bloody tough as it is with Covid but you just keep going.
'You know it'll come good but this is just devastating.'
'We've got bookings this weekend and they're all gone. It'll be hard to reopen … it's won't happen. It's been bloody tough as it is with Covid but you just keep going,' Mr Turton (pictured) said
But despite the terrifying weather conditions the communistic spirit remains strong with residents helping those under threat pack away belongings and clean up areas inundated with water.
Meanwhile one man was seen paddle boarding through flooded roads without a care in the world while a group of young men took turns riding their dinghy around flood waters, a couple with a beer in hand.
The Camden War Memorial pool is now filled with endless murky brown water prompting fears it could be until next summer before it can reopen.
It comes as State Emergency Service Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns said it had been an 'extremely busy night' for emergency services.
'We would just like to warn the community to listen to the warnings from the bureau and to avoid unnecessary travel,' Commissioner Kearns told Channel Nine's Today Show on Tuesday.
Transport for NSW told those heading to work or school to prepare for the worst, leave plenty of time for delays.
Ferry services were disrupted by heavy swells with delays on bus services due to extensive road closures and flood damage.
'Avoid any non-essential travel and if you do need to use the network please plan ahead and leave plenty of extra travel time,' a tweet at 6am advised.
'Impacts will continue through the rest of this week as we undertake detailed inspections to ensure the rail network remains safe for trains and customers'.
At least 20 major roads were closed on Monday night as Sydney and its surrounds were hit with a heavy deluge.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a major warning to all motorists.
'Slippery and flooded roads and reduced visibility in heavy rain will make driving conditions dangerous during Tuesday in all suburbs,' it wrote. 'Motorists are advised to take extreme care.'
Transport for NSW told those heading to work or school to prepare for the worst, leave plenty of time for delays on the network and avoid trains (pictured, pedestrians in Brisbane)
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for the entire of Sydney on Tuesday as incessant rain continues to fall across the south and southwest
The SES performed 100 flood rescues in the 24 hours to 6:30am on Monday and responded to 2400 calls for help (pictured, two vehicles submerged in floodwaters in Sydney's southwest)
The SES has predicted even more torrential rain on Tuesday will create dangerous conditions in the Mid North Coast, Sydney, Hunter, South Coast and Illawarra (pictured, cars stranded in floodwaters in Sydney's southwest)
In a bid to ease congestion around the city, Transport for NSW have opened the T2 and T3 transit lanes for general use until midnight on Friday.
The Blue Mountains train line was closed on Monday after the incessant deluge caused a damaging landslide.
BoM has warned that a new low will bring more storms on Tuesday, with rainfall reaching up to 200mm, prompting concerns of flash flooding in multiple areas along the coast and in greater Sydney.
As of Tuesday morning, 25 flood warnings are in place including major alerts along the Georges River, Hawkesbury Nepean Valley, Colo River, St Georges Basin, Hunter River, Wollombi Brook and Macleay River.
The Georges River peaked on Tuesday morning, with the Nepean River at Menangle Bridge was expected to surpass 16 metres at about 3am on Tuesday, yards above the major level of 12.2 metres.
The Nepean was expected to exceed moderate level at Camden Weir and Wallacia Weir overnight on Monday.
The Hawkesbury River and North Richmond were experiencing major flooding on Monday night, with similar scenes expected at Penrith, Windsor and downstream.
THE LATEST ON THE NSW FLOOD EMERGENCY:
- Two bodies, believed to be those of missing mother Hemalathasolhyr Satchithanantham and her 34-year-old son Bramoothand, have been discovered near where a car was abandoned in a stormwater canal in Sydney's west.
- The SES has issued evacuation orders for Chipping Norton, Georges Hall, and parts of Holsworthy, Lansvale and Milperra.
- Other suburbs told to evacuate include parts of Moorebank, parts of Warwick Farm, Picnic Point, Pleasure Point and Sandy Point.
- Residents in some parts of Camden were told to leave their homes by 9pm on Monday night, while others were urged to evacuate by midnight
- BoM said the Georges River in south Sydney may flood on Tuesday with the Nepean River at Menangle Bridge expected to exceed 16m at 3am
- The SES has predicted torrential rain will cause dangerous conditions in the Mid North Coast, Sydney, Hunter, South Coast and Illawarra
- Residents in Picton's CBD, parts of Emu Plains and Mulgoa have been told to prepare to evacuate
- Those who live in the Hawkesbury-Nepean region have been told not to return home if they have already been evacuated
- Transport for NSW have urged commuters travelling to work or school to prepare for the worst, expect delays and avoid the rail network
- NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said the state was facing a 'very serious' situation on Monday night and into Tuesday
- As of Tuesday morning there are 54 evacuation orders in place and 12 evacuation warnings across the state 
BoM has warned that a new low will bring more storms on Tuesday, with rainfall reaching up to 200mm prompting concerns of flash flooding (pictured, a flooded Sydney supermarket)
Park Street, Petersham is seen under water on Tuesday night after a torrential down pour hit Sydney
The Colo River at Putty Road has also exceeded its major flood level with officials expecting the major river to continue to rise on Tuesday.
Residents in Picton's CBD, parts of Emu Plains and Mulgoa have been told to prepare to evacuate with those in the Hawkesbury-Nepean region urged not to return home if they have been evacuated.
Terrey Hills, Sydney and Liverpool could be hit with 50 to 80mm of rain on Tuesday, while Campbelltown could receive 60 to 90mm and Richmond 70 to 120mm.
The rainfall may result in 'rapid river level rises and very deep and dangerous flooding', the weather bureau warned.
The SES has warned anyone who lives near a 'river, creek or stream' in the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra or South Coast to be 'ready to take action.'
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Residents in these areas have also been warned to avoid beaches, as strong southerly winds and powerful swells wreck havoc along the coastline.
As the low-pressure system develops into an east coast low and moves offshore on Tuesday, 'very heavy surf' is predicted to linger until at least Thursday.
'Beach conditions in these areas could be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas,' the bureau has warned.
State Emergency Commissioner Carlene York flagged authorities would be keeping a close eye on the swollen Hawkesbury River in the coming days as the Georges River peaked on Tuesday morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that a new low will bring storms and intense rainfall that's slated to total up to 200mm Pictured: Flooding at Petersham in Sydney's inner-west
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that a new low will bring storms and intense rainfall on Tuesday, which could reach up to 200mm, prompting concerns of flash flooding in multiple areas along the coast and in greater Sydney
The SES has warned strong winds and heavy rain will continue into Tuesday morning (Pictured: A deluge sweeps through a residence in Rhodes)
Thousands of residents have already been forced to evacuate from the dangerous weather, with residents in Camden in Sydney's south-west told to get out by 11.59pm or risk being cut off.
Residents in East Hills, southwest of the CBD, were told to evacuate by 2:30am while low-lying properties in Croki, near Taree, forced to leave at 9:15pm on Monday.
Local flooding submerged streets across Sydney's inner-west including Potts Point, Surry Hills, Newtown and Petersham. There were roads in Camden, Bankstown and Liverpool resembling rivers.
There was also shocking footage showing multiple cars struggling to make it flooded streets in Milperra.
A taxi was seen submerged in the deluge with its hazard lights on as other vehicles appeared stuck in the brown water.
About 83mm of rain fell at Marrickville in the 2 hours to 10.45pm on Monday, 81mm hit Kentlyn in the 2 hours to 10pm and 86mm was recorded at Lucas Heights in the 2 hours to 9.30pm.
Local flooding submerged streets across Sydney's inner-west including Potts Point, Surry Hills, Newtown and Petersham. Pictured: A street in Newtown
Many suburbs across Syndey were hammered by flooding, water is seen bubbling up from the ground in Potts Point
A street in Sydney's Newtown was covered in water on Monday night as a severe thunderstorm warning with 'intense rainfall' was issued for the city and its surrounds
In Hurstville, shocking footage showed the rooftop of an Aldi store collapsing due to the intense rain.
The ceiling in one of the store's back corners caved in on Monday causing minor damage to the supermarket and its stock, with no customers or employees injured.
Daily Mail Australia understands the Hurstville Aldi will reopen on Wednesday.
On Monday evening, the SES issued evacuations orders for parts of Camden in Sydney's south-west by 9pm.
A renewed alert warned residents within parts of Camden that they have until 11.59pm on Monday or risk getting cut off once flood waters reach 10.3 metres at Camden Weir.
Residents in the south coast towns of Sussex Inlet and St Georges Basin were also told to prepare to evacuate
Residents across Sydney's inner-west reported local flooding on Monday night, with shocking pictures showing streets in Camden and Bankstown under water. Pictured: A flooded street in Milperra
Roads in Bankstown resembled rivers after floods swept through Sydney's south
Elizabeth Drive, Liverpool is completely flooded as vehicles are left at a stand still
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned residents in Sydney and northern NSW to prepare for flash flooding from Sunday until Tuesday as an east coast low moves in. From left to right, the three main weather models forecasters use show Sydney and the south coast are expected to be battered by more than 100mm of rain
The SES have warned that roads in Sussex Inlet may become inaccessible due to the hazardous weather.
In greater Sydney, the wet weather has created landslides and shifting earth.
Residents in Sydney and the Blue Mountains have been warned over the risk of deadly landslides, many of which have already caused mud, trees and vegetation to fall onto roads.
A number of the landslides were reported at Emu Heights and Katoomba in the Blue Mountains.
Footage released by Fire and Rescue shows a roadway cut off due to a landslide.
Warnings have been raised over the risk of landslides in Sydney and the Blue Mountains
A number of the landslides were reported at Emu Heights and Katoomba in the Blue MountainsIn Northern NSW, flooding has continued to devastate suburbs near the coastline.
A recent viral video shared to Reddit sees raging floodwaters near the town of Murwillumbah carve up the landscape, carrying gum trees, boulders and other debris.
The floods have reportedly destroyed homes and local infrastructure in the area.
Harsh conditions are predicted to ease on Wednesday - when the sun may finally return.
Intense flooding continued to inundate Coraki, 30km south of Lismore, on Monday.
Meanwhile, the NSW Premier has apologised to flood-devastated communities.
Dominic Perrottet said sorry to thousands of people in the Northern Rivers district, whose homes and businesses were destroyed when towns like Lismore and Ballina were inundated by floodwaters last week.
Floodwater surrounded a small farm paddock with a single tractor in Coraki on Monday as locals prepare for more flash flooding
Aerial photos show homes submerged in floodwater in Coraki on Monday as the BoM warns more flashing flooding is on the way
Roads in Coraki remained submerged on Monday as local prepare for more heavy rain to fall
Large parts of the northern NSW town Coraki remained inundated on Monday with more rain forecast in coming days
Many had to be rescued by fellow citizens and have since struggled to access basics such as food, water, power, fuel, phones, ATMs, the internet and medical supplies.
'I'm very sorry ... but we're doing everything that we can,' Mr Perrottet told the Nine Network from Lismore.
'Some of those areas will look back at this and say it could have been done better but ... we're doing absolutely everything we can to provide care and support for those who need it to get those essential supplies in,' he said.
The emergency response would be reviewed, he added.
Floods have claimed six lives in NSW, including four in Lismore.
The Australian Defence Force is helping with the mammoth clean-up with 512 personnel on the ground in NSW.
Some 5000 personnel will be put on task or made available in NSW and Queensland over the course of this week, as 2010 are on the ground in both states, the ADF said.
The Australian Defence Force is helping with the mammoth clean-up with 512 personnel on the ground in NSW
A soldier helps with the clean-up effort in Lismore as residents prepare for more flash flooding
'We're getting supplies in. We're getting food in,' Mr Perrottet said.
Around 2,000 of the 3,500 homes assessed so far in the Northern Rivers are no longer habitable, increasing the need for short-term and medium-to-long-term accommodation.
Telstra on Monday said it had restored about 80 per cent of mobile coverage for communities in northern NSW and 75 per cent of landline connections.
But some areas remained inaccessible due to continued flooding, road damage or a lack of electricity that is hampering the work of around 1,000 technicians.
Around 2,000 of the 3,500 homes assessed so far in the Northern Rivers are no longer habitable, increasing the need for short-term and medium-to-long-term accommodation
The northern NSW communities of Kingscliff, Main Arm, Mullumbimby, Ocean Shores, Tucabia, Uki and Wooli are among those still having issues with communications.
The State Emergency Service had another 550 calls for help overnight and performed nine flood rescues.
SES Deputy Commissioner Daniel Austin says volunteers are waiting with 'bated breath' to see what Monday brings.
'We're certainly on high alert from the Mid-North Coast down into the Shoalhaven,' he told the Nine Network.
'We are watching exceptionally closely a number of catchments ... around the Hawkesbury and Central Coast and places.
'The water hasn't retreated yet. We're now going to see more flooding on top of what we've already seen.'
An Australian Defence Force soldier helps clean flood debris from a property in Lismore
Renewed flooding is likely in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley and major flooding continues in the Upper Nepean, Nepean, Hawkesbury and Colo Rivers, the SES said on Monday.
Rainfall on Tuesday could push the Nepean River at Penrith over six metres causing minor floods.
Major flooding is also taking place at North Richmond and is likely to happen at Putty Road as the Colo River is expected to exceed 10.7 metres on Monday night and continue to swell to up to 11.5 metres on Tuesday.
Rain is causing significant travel delays with cancellations expected on most Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink Intercity and Regional train services and drivers are being urged to stay off the roads unless it's absolutely necessary.
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