Frantic Search For Two Elderly Women Missing In Floodwaters

    The women have were swept from the road before 9am this morning.

    Rob Stott
    by Rob Stott

    BuzzFeed News Reporter, Australia

    Police have confirmed two elderly women were in a car that was swept into floodwaters this morning.

    David Moir / AAPIMAGE

    The two women were swept from Cessnock Road, Maitland before 9am this morning and a frantic rescue operation has been underway since,Fairfax reports. R

    A witness told The Maitland Mercury the driver tried to maneuver around a stationery car in floodwaters.

    "She travelled for a bit then washed off the road completely," he said.

    "About 10 of us ran around to the other bank where the car floated to.

    "Four blokes jumped in the water and all of us with first aide training stayed on the bank."

    Here's the latest from the flood situation across NSW:

    Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

    - As crews searched for the pair, they were reportedly alerted to a baby needing urgent medical care. The baby was reached by boat and is now in Maitland hospital.

    - NSW Premier Mike Baird has confirmed a natural disaster declaration will be made in the worst-affected areas.

    - NSW Fire and Rescue has received over 5000 calls since 4pm Tuesday.

    - A severe weather warning remains in place for destructive and damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous surf conditions for the Sydney metropolitan, Hunter and Central Coast, Wollongong and Illawarra regions.

    - The storm is being caused by an intense low pressure system off Newcastle. It's expected to move south to Sydney as the day goes on. Residents are being warned of wind gusts up to 100km/h and more heavy rain.

    - Over 200,000 thousand homes from the Illawarra region to Sydney and up to the Hunter are still without power. Some will remain blacked out for days.

    - Several people have been rescued from flash flooding across Sydney. The NSW State Emergency Service has received 7984 jobs and 90 Flood Rescues since Monday.

    - Dozens of schools across NSW are closed. Here's the full list.

    - Flights in and out of Sydney have resumed after they were suspended this morning, but delays are still expected into the afternoon.

    - The three people been found in Dungog yesterday have been identified as Robyn McDonald, thought to be 70, Colin Webb, 79, and Brian Wilson, 72. Ther were found inside a home, Fairfax reports.

    The SES has responded to over 10,000 calls for help.

    SES / Via Facebook: NSW.SES
    Ausgrid @Ausgrid

    Supply update

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    BOM New South Wales @BOM_NSW

    Rain since 9am: 75mm at #Cronulla, 66mm at #SanSouci, 61mm at #Peakhurst. #NSWweather at http://t.co/OeLBp0OdFW

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    Sydney Airport @SydneyAirport

    Update on extreme weather impact. Delays: domestic up to 90 min, int'l up to 60 min #SydneyStorm. Check with airlines for latest flight info

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    A house in Narrabeen is in danger of collapsing.

    Fire & Rescue NSW @FRNSW

    NARRABEEN update | #FRNSW urban search & rescue monitoring. Awaiting land slip engineer. 5 nearby homes evac'd.

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    Sydney still copping it

    BILL MORRIS / DIIMEX

    NSW Premier Mike Baird has said that the worst appears to be over for now, but NSW is "not out of the woods yet."

    The Bureau of Meteorology is warning Sydney metropolitan residents of more heavy rain and damaging winds. "Beach conditions in these areas could be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas," the Bureau says.

    One more severe storm belt is expected to pass through the CBD and eastern suburbs later today, dumping more rain on the city.

    If you're catching the East Hills line to Sydney Airport, this is the line at Bardwell Park

    Transport NSW / Via Facebook: TransportNSWInfo

    A limited bus service is operating between Turrella and Revesby. Visit Transport NSW for more information.

    This is Hyde Park, which the City of Sydney has now closed for the day.

    The Carnival Spirit cruise ship, which spent a wild night outside Sydney Harbour with 4000 people on board, finally docked this morning.

    Alex Lee / Buzzfeed
    AYLA @helloitsayla

    This looks kind of fun tbh

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    In Dungog, where three people died, the damage is extensive.

    Fire & Rescue NSW @FRNSW

    #FRNSW assessing the flood damage at #Dungog this AM. Nearly 80 homes badly damaged. http://t.co/rPuhbAYfdQ

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    Dungog was hit by 135km/h winds and the heaviest rainfalls in 50 years. The Dungog Chronicle reports that police are investigating whether the three people drowned as floodwaters rose above the roof of their home.

    These are the train tracks near Dungog.

    Transport NSW / Via Facebook: TransportNSWInfo
    Neil Keene @_NeilKeene_

    Tennis courts in #Dungog turned into abstract art by #flood. @dailytelegraph #NSWstorms #NSWFloods #NewyStorm

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    Several horses in Dungog have been rescued from flood waters.

    Daniel Munoz / Getty Images

    Conditions ease, but Hunter region still on alert.

    Supplied / PR IMAGE

    Conditions have eased slightly in the Hunter region but residents are being warned of potential flooding later today. A severe weather warning has now been cancelled but torrential rains are still expected throughout the day.

    From the Bureau of meteorology: "Minor flooding is continuing along the lower Hunter River at Maitland where the river was 8.8 metres and near its peak this morning.At Raymond Terrace, the river peaked at 3.05 metres at 5.30am Wednesday with minor flooding.

    "Major flooding is current along the Wollombi Brook at Bulga. River levels at Bulga have risen higher than previously expected and river height predictions have been raised to reflect this."

    Residents prepare for evacuations.

    Mick Tsikas / AAPIMAGE

    There are fears Manly dam may overflow today as the continues to pelt down. The SES sent an emergency text to 9000 Manly residents overnight, warning them to prepare to evacuate in case of flight.

    The dam has begun to spill, which it is designed to do in these situations, and the immediate threat has passed as tides recede. But tides will come back in at around 11am today and residents are warned to be on alert.

    July @aunewse

    Manly #Dam #begins #to #spill #as #Sydney #wakes #up #to #storm #chaos #Sydney #weather… http://t.co/kyfYPS6xA1 |PP

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    And of course, everyone is uploading amazing photos of the storms.

    Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

    Don't drive through water like these guys

    Totters @t0tters

    #SydneyStorm I think the weather forecast is getting s bit carried away now

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    Mohamed Taha @Mo_Taha1

    Canals are flowing like rivers in Sydney's west - this in #Lidcombe. #SydneyStorm @abcnewsSydney @702sydney

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    Matt Fisher @MTFisher78

    Three days into #stormageddon blue skies are creeping in #SydneyStorm

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    Jessica Lovejoy @JessiLovejoy89

    Just Aussie things... #bigwetnsw #southcoast #floodlife #SydneyStorm #sydstorm

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    And remember: Driving through floodwaters is ALWAYS a terrible idea.

    The Hills Council @TheHillsCouncil

    A great example of what NOT to do. PLEASE don't risk lives by driving through flood waters. Picture: @HillsNews1

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