Surfers brave the dangerous surf in Bondi. Photo: Edwina Pickles

A severe weather warning remains in place for much of NSW, with parts of the city receiving more than 200mm of rain in the previous 48 hours. Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke said that Sydney has experienced its "most intense" wind, rain and surf since April last year...

The system is expected to move slowly south throughout the day, bringing the heaviest rainfall and most intense winds towards Illawarra and the South Coast.

The east coast lows have produced "unusually strong" winds blowing in from a north-easterly direction, causing destruction across the state.

"Trees which may have previously withstood stronger winds from the south may have toppled with the wind blowing in this direction," Mr Dutschke said.

North

Highest rainfall: Terrey Hills received 151mm of rain in the 48 hours to 11am on Sunday.

Residents have been evacuated from the North Narrabeen Caravan Park and students from the nearby Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation.

Police say students from the sports academy on the flood prone Wakehurst Parkway have been sent to the Narrabeen Surf Club due to fears Narrabeen Lake will flood.

Motorists have been urged to avoid driving on flooded roads with conditions expected to worsen in the area.

The storm appears to have caused significant erosion at Narrabeen-Collaroy beach. Houses at Collaroy have lost about five metres of their front yards in the past 48 hours.

Heavy rain transformed a Chatswood stormwater channel into a raging torrent on Sunday morning. 

The historic stone bridge over Tunks Park at Northbridge flooded to axle-depth on Sunday morning.

Highest Rainfall: Sydney Airport recorded 177mm of rain in the 48 hours to 11am on Sunday.

The area will continue to bear the worst of the weather as the system moves southwards during Sunday and Monday.

Minor to moderate flooding is expected along the Georges River and minor flooding will affect the Woronora River.

The NSW SES cannot predict the flood peak but is asking residents to be on alert for flooding in the area.

More heavy rain is forecast for the next six hours and a high tide at 8.30pm may cause flooding at Tempe Bridge, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.

East

Heaviest Rainfall: Sydney's CBD has been soaked, with Sydney's Observatory Hill receiving 166mm of rain in a 48-hour period.

Winds have reached up to 117km/h on the Sydney Harbour, its worst in three years, Weatherzone said.

Trees and powerlines are down in Queens Park, with similar damage noted across Double Bay and Paddington.

Damaging surf continues to thrash the eastern beaches due to abnormally high tides and damaging surf, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

The swells have reached up to six metres off the coast, and are expected to increase leading up to the high tide at 8.30pm on Sunday.

Highest rainfall: Ingleburn has been Sydney's "standout wet suburb", receiving a whopping 217mm of rain in the past 48 hours to 11am on Sunday, Weatherzone said.

Bankstown has had its heaviest rainfall in more than 15 years, receiving 174mm of rain.

Other heavily rain-affected areas include Holsworthy (159mm), Milperra (150mm), Parramatta (152mm), Homebush (150mm) and Campbelltown (140mm).

Moderate flooding in the Nepean River at Menagle and minor flooding at Camden and Wallacia is expected as heavy rain continues to fall.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned at least another 100-150mm of rain is forecast for the Nepean, Wollondillly and Hawkesbury River valleys in the next 12 hours.

Earlier on Sunday morning, the roof was torn off the Burwood PCYC building on Deane Street as winds of up to 125km/h continued to pummel the state's east coast.

To help do something about the climate change and global warming emergency, click here.

Sign up for our free Global Warming Blog by clicking here. (In your email, you will receive critical news, research, and the warning signs for the next global warming disaster.)

To share this blog post: Go to the Share button to the left below.