The New South Wales State Emergency Service is urging Illawarra residents to bunker down as gale force winds up to 110 kilometres an hour build throughout the day. Forecasters say damaging and potentially destructive winds and heavy rain will arrive later today...thanks to a deepening coastal low pressure system, and that's sparking fears of flash flooding and road closures. Our reporter Romy Gilbert spoke to ABC News Breakfast from wild and windy Corrimal Beach this morning. | ABC Illawarra

A NSW RFS helicopter and crew has assisted NSW SES with a rescue from floodwaters this afternoon near Wallanthery, approximately 50km west of Lake Cargelligo. The man, trapped in a car on Kidman Way, was winched out of waist deep water to awaiting emergency service crews. As flooding continues to affect areas of NSW remember - if it's flooded, forget it. For assistance in floods and storms contact the NSW SES on 132 500. For life threatening emergencies contact Triple Zero (000). | NSW Rural Fir