A severe weather warning for heavy rain, flash flooding and 55mph winds has been issued along the capital’s coast and other areas in New South Wales. The Warragamba Dam in western Sydney began spilling overnight and the peak of the overflow would be comparable to the devastating floods in March last year, authorities said. A rescue worker examines a flooded area due to torrential rain in the Sydney suburb of Camden (AFP/Getty) Although residents in some suburbs were ordered to evacuate, emergency officials urged people not to wait to be told to leave, as they say rising waters could be life-threatening. Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said: “If you are uncomfortable or unsure of your circumstances and there is an opportunity to leave early, don’t necessarily wait for an evacuation order.” “If you were safe in 2021 don’t assume you will be safe tonight. This is a rapidly evolving situation and we could see affected areas that we have never seen before.” People look at a flooded park due to torrential rain in the Sydney suburb of Camden (AFP/Getty) In the past 24 hours, emergency services have recorded more than 100 flood rescues and over 3,000 requests for help. Evacuation centers were set up in several areas in western Sydney, while about 1,000 defense force personnel helped sandbag and knock on doors to warn of flooding threats. Met Office risk preparedness and response manager Jane Golding said a coastal trough of wind and rain that had lingered since Friday had deepened while an east coast low pressure system formed off the mid-north coast. A man looks at a flooded residential area due to torrential rain in the Sydney suburb of Camden (AFP/Getty) He said: “This has produced some exceptional rainfall rates over the last 24 hours… many locations have received 200mm and some close to 300mm.” The amount of rainfall is almost half of Sydney’s annual average. People have been asked to avoid any non-essential travel, including public transport, as some roads are already underwater and others are at risk of flash flooding.