Live updates: The latest news from the NSW storm.

This page will be updated throughout the day as the story develops; please refresh your browser for the latest news.

The Sydney storms have claimed another victim as the body of an 86-year-old woman was recovered from floodwaters near Maitland this evening.

It is believed the woman, whose car was swept away by a torrent of water this morning, was travelling alone despite earlier reports of another passenger. 

Police and SES workers searched for the car throughout the day.

Inspector Brian Tracey said divers had to feel their way to the car because there was zero visibility in the water, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The woman’s 66-year-old son maintained a vigil by the water during the search.

Paramedics recovered the body of the woman – who was maneuvering around a stalled car when she veered into the floodwaters – from the water shortly after 7pm.

One victim retrieved fear of a second @newcastleherald #newystorm pic.twitter.com/z8CEx6UUFL

— IAN KIRKWOOD (@ianattheherald) April 22, 2015

Earlier this evening, hundreds of residents in Sydney’s south west were ordered to evacuate their homes as the Georges River burst its banks after heavy rainfall caused dozens of floods across Sydney.

Around 200 homes were evacuated due to the forecasted flooding of the Georges River, expected to peak at 2.85 metres about 6pm, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The SES conducted about 35 flood rescues across Sydney today.

But many residents have said they have no intention of evacuating despite the risk to their homes.

Twelve areas in the Newcastle and Hunter regions have been declared natural disaster zones after being devastated by the severe storms and flooding.

The towns of Maitland and Dungog, where three elderly people were killed yesterday, are among the local council areas eligible for disaster assistance.

Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan and NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott tonight announced Cessnock, Gosford, Great Lakes, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Pittwater, Port Stephens, Singleton, Warringah and Wyong were also disaster zones.

More than 180 schools will be closed tomorrow.

Benign weather is forecast for Sydney, Newcastle and the Illawarra over the next few days, which will allow the massive clean up to begin.

Mamamia wrote earlier:

As a once-in-a-decade storm continues to lash Sydney, the central coast and the Hunter region of New South Wales, the hardest-hit areas of the state will be declared natural disaster zones.

NSW Premier Mr Baird said today that Maitland, Dungog and other areas on the Central Coast would be declared natural disaster zones following three days of destructive weather.

“A natural disaster declaration, which is what I’ve confirmed will be happening, the important point to that is assistance in terms of the recovery effort and that really is the key,” he said.

“The state of emergency really gives you additional powers in terms of asking people to be removed from particular areas … you have powers for our emergency workers to move and act very quickly in response to very severe situations.

Post continues after gallery:

Six people have now died during the storm, with two elderly men and an elderly woman being swept away yesterday in Dungog in NSW’s Central Hunter region, when homes were washed off their footings during the heaviest rainfall the area has seen in 100 years, Daily Mail reports.

The Newcastle Herald has identified them as Robyn McDonald, aged about 70, Colin Webb, 79, and Brian Wilson, 72.

On Wednesday afternoon, two people died in the Hunter Valley after their car crashed near Singleton, according to ABC News.

Related content: NSW storm updates. Three killed, homes washed away.

A major rescue operation is underway with at least two people missing near a flooded creek in Maitland. Prime News reports a rescue helicopter and police divers are searching floodwaters for an elderly woman missing in a car.

“We do have grave concerns for those persons in that vehicle that we still can not locate,” SES NSW Deputy Commissioner Steven Pearce said.

A couple who entered floodwaters to try and save her near Cessnock Road are now also missing, Prime News reports.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of homes across the state are still without power and more than 160 schools remain closed, while in the Hunter region, locals have described watching as their houses were swept away yesterday.

Nine News reports several people have been trapped in flash flooding at Toongabbie, Rossmore and Bexley.

Related content: Sydneysiders help the homeless in the face of the storms.

ABC News reports that almost 100 people have been rescued from floodwaters, and more than 260 SES crews and 600 volunteers will be out in the field today.

In Sydney, residents are bracing for one more ‘danger period’ of winds, thunderstorms — but the weather will begin to improve this afternoon, and Carvival Spirit, the 2,500-passenger cruise ship that has been stranded in wild seas since Monday night, has finally docked in Sydney.

Bureau of Meterology wind warnings today

Gale Warning for the following areas:
Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast

Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Sydney Closed Waters and Hunter Coast

Cancellation for the following area:
Macquarie Coast

NSW Premier Mike Baird has urged people not to travel at peak hour today if they can avoid it, and commuters have been advised to avoid all non-essential travel in affected areas.

Meanwhile, record breaking wave has been measured at 14.9 metres at 3pm today. The wave eclipsed the record of the 14.1m wave that washed the Pasha Bulker shored at Newcastle.

Some of the most hair-raising photos from thh Sydney storm:

More to come.

Have you got a story to share? Email us at news@mamamia.com.au.

[post_snippet id=324408]