Thousands of emergency calls amid ongoing flash flooding

Persistent and heavy rain that has brought significant flash flooding to one state is showing no signs of stopping, after forcing a stack of emergency calls and evacuations.

The State Emergency Service (SES) issued an emergency warning for some residents in Dungog and Paterson, insisting they evacuate by 11.30pm.

Taree, on the state's mid-north coast, took the worst of the rain with more than 160mm in six hours overnight, and 267mm since 9am on Monday.

'We've seen significant flooding in Taree overnight, a couple of the flood rescues we undertook were for people in houses in locations where water rose incredibly swiftly over their floors and they had to be relocated again, all brought to safety,' NSW SES chief superintendent of state operations Dallas Byrnes told ABC TV.

Minor to major warnings for flooding on catchments across the mid-north coast and Hunter regions remain in place, while people in Taree are being advised to take shelter.

The SES has also asked people in isolated locations in the area to evacuate, including at Dungog, Paterson, Gloucester, Bulahdelah and Chinchester Dam.

Dozens of flood warnings remain in place on catchments across the mid-north coast and Hunter regions

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting rain levels between 60 to 100mm in six hours on Tuesday in parts of the mid-north coast and Hunter

'We are asking the community to be really, really conscious of their location… we are seeing lots of local creeks rise very quickly,' Mr Byrnes said.

'We have had numerous rescues from people entering floodwaters (but) we've also done the majority from people who've just been in the wrong place, and flash flooding has taken them by surprise.'

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting rain levels between 60 to 100mm in six hours on Tuesday in parts of the mid-north coast and Hunter, increasing to 100 too 190mm in isolated locations.

While damaging winds and surf are expected to ease later on Tuesday, the widespread rain is tipped to stick around for some days.

'Heavy falls will remain a risk, particularly across the mid-north coast, with flash and riverine flooding continuing to be the main concern,' BoM senior meteorologist Sarah Scully said.

'With large amounts of water building up over days and impacting roads and low lying areas, dangerous driving conditions, traffic and transport delays and detours are expected, and some local inundations will continue to occur.'

More than 30 schools will be closed on Tuesday in the mid-north coast, Central Coast and Hunter regions due to flooding.

The NSW education department reminded parents that schools do not offer minimal supervision during flood events.

Pictured is Gloucester Tops Riverside Caravan Park in Invergordon. On social media, the caravan park described the flooding as 'frightening', adding it had reached 30-year heights

Trains are not running between Scone, in the upper Hunter, and Newcastle.

More than 6,000 people have also experienced power outages.

Rob Ridley from power provider Essential Energy said the impacted areas are Dungog and Gloucester.

'Currently there’s parts of the network that aren’t accessible due to water, but we do have all our available staff, where its safe, out investigating,' he told ABC.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Gloucester Tops Riverside Caravan Park described the flooding it had endured as 'frightening'.

'Well [it has] been a very eventful night. We are in major flood no access in or out... certainly as high if not higher as I’ve seen in 30 years the force,' it said.

For assistance in floods and storms, contact NSW SES on 132 500. If it's life-threatening call triple zero (000).

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