I recieved this mail from Old Griqua 14…

“If you get a chance, have a look at these pictures of Sydney last night – almost a cyclone. All this talk about climate change???

Might suit the bokkies on the weekend . . . 

Best wishes, Old Griquas 14 in Sydney”

CALLS for help continue to stream into the NSW State Emergency Service despite the Bureau of Meteorology lifting a severe wind warning for Sydney and the Illawarra.

The SES has received more than 200 requests for assistance today, mostly along the coast from the Illawarra to Newcastle.

Spokeswoman Stephanie Heard said crews were en route to the Corpus Christi primary school at St Ives after torrential rain flooded parts of the campus.

Most other calls were for damaged roofs and fallen trees,including a 10m eucalyptus, which smashed onto four demountable classrooms at Mt Warrigal Public School at Shellharbour this morning.

Another large tree has fallen across a suburban road at Mona Vale, blocking local traffic. Randwick, Hurstville and Marrickville were some of the hardest hit areas, Ms Heard said. A dangerous surf warning remains in place between the South Coast and Mid North Coast, while the bureau has also issued a dangerous wind warning for the Hunter and Mid North Coast. Gusts up to 90km/h are expected to buffet the regions throughout the afternoon.

The SES is urging people in the area to move their vehicles under cover and away from trees and to secure loose items.

Wattamolla Beach south of Sydney recorded gusts of 106km/h overnight.

Jervis Bay on the south coast received the most rainfall overnight, clocking up 70mm.

Surf conditions are likely to be dangerous today, with waves expected to average well in excess of five metres on Thursday and Friday. The BOM said a very big swell event was expected along central and southern parts of the coast, including Sydney, on Thursday.

Surfers are advised to stay out of the water, and rock fishermen should stay away from rock platforms and headland areas.

The strong winds will be accompanied by showers, with the bureau predicting continuous rain along most of the south coast, Illawarra, Hunter region and Sydney metropolitan region to continue until at least Saturday.

Heavy rain also closed the Princes Highway in Sydney’s south this morning, leaving citybound motorists reeling.

Two of the three northbound lanes were closed approaching Tom Uglys Bridge at Sylvania after water on the road made it unsafe to drive on. A spokeswoman for the Transport Management Centre said motorists should take extra care in the area and expect delays.

“We are expecting more of this kind of weather and are advising people to take care,” she said.

There have also been numerous accidents that are also causing lengthy delays for motorists. Motorists are advised to expect delays, exercise caution and allow additional travel time.