Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology New South Wales TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST Severe Weather Warning for Heavy Rainfall And Damaging Winds for parts of Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Tablelands Forecast Districts. Issued at 10:58 am Friday, 16 January 2026. Heavy rainfall and damaging winds extending into the Shoalhaven and Illawarra today. Weather Situation A coastal trough is developing just off the South Coast this morning, and is expected to direct areas of heavy rain and damaging south to southeasterly winds over southeastern parts of the state today and into Saturday morning. HEAVY RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas: Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Tablelands HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible over parts of the South Coast ranges this morning, with this risk spreading to parts of the Shoalhaven and Illawarra from this afternoon and evening respectively. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm are possible, with isolated totals up to 120 mm in slow-moving thunderstorms. DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible about the coastal fringe of the warning area, particularly about Jervis Bay. Conditions are expected to ease below severe thresholds by Saturday morning. A separate severe weather warning for DAMAGING SURF is current. For all the latest warnings, please check: https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral, Braidwood, Kiama and Ulladulla. Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Snowy Mountains district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED. Cancellation for the following areas: Snowy Mountains The State Emergency Service advises that people should: * Park your car under secure cover and away from trees, powerlines and drains. * Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony. * Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences. * Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill. * Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water. * Keep clear of creeks and storm drains. * If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue. For emergency help in flood and storms, ring the SES on 132 500. Stay updated on the Hazards Near Me NSW app or the ACT ESA website (https://esa.act.gov.au). The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEDT Friday. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.