The NSW flood emergency has claimed three lives and there are grave fears for a missing man today as the rain tracks south to Sydney.

NSW Police said late yesterday that officers had recovered the body of a 60-year-old woman – the third victim of the flooding disaster – and that a 49-year-old man last seen in Nymboida, south of Grafton, remains missing as the crisis continues, having already forced evacuations of several towns and damaged thousands of homes.

The SES carried out 177 flood rescues across the state over the past 24 hours. Today there are 153 warnings in place, 40 of those are at emergency level, scattered along the north coast. Another 87 areas are under watch and act alerts.

Some relief from the downpour is expected for NSW Mid-North Coast over coming hours after the rain tracked south to Sydney overnight.

The Bureau of Meteorology says a low off the Mid North Coast extends along the eastern interior, and will track southwards during today, bringing wet and windy conditions into the state’s south-east.

NSW SES State Duty Commander Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said while the rain will start to ease later today over the Mid-North Coast, the risk from flooding remains.

“We may see renewed rises as water from earlier heavy falls makes its way downstream,” he said.

He said a priority for today will starting to resupplying isolated communities. The SES has begun using helicopters to transport boats and equipment, with planning underway to start bulk resupply.

Heavy rainfall is possible in parts of the Central Coast, including at Newcastle and Gosford. The rain is expected to ease gradually from the north, through the Hunter during this morning, and central parts of the state by late afternoon or evening, before finally easing over the south-east during tomorrow morning.

The SES this morning warned residents to stay indoors due to intense and heavy rainfall. Flood warnings are also in place at Wollombi, Bulga, Raymond Terrace, Dora Creek, Yarramalong and Dooralong, Chittaway Point and Tuggerah Lake.

Overnight, the rain tracked south to soak Sydney, where at the Parramatta River, a torrent of water swallowed a wharf and halted ferry services.

The SES said this morning the Nepean Dam is spilling and there is also a warning that Sydney’s Warragamba Dam – the main source for the city’s water supply – may spill over. The dam was at 96 per cent capacity at 6.30pm yesterday.

Flash flooding is possible on the Colo, Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers.

Advice level warnings are currently in place at Colo, North Richmond and surrounds, Milperra and surrounds, Liverpool and Tempe Bridge.

“The real risk over the next 24 hours is flash flooding, with heavy rainfall totals between 60mm and 100mm possible,” said Malone.

He warned roads may become cut quickly and without warning. Motorists should remain vigilant and never drive through flooded areas.

Heavy rainfall is also expected to extend further south to the Southern Tablelands and the inland South Coast later on today. Locations which may be affected include, Bowral, Braidwood, Bega, Katoomba, Goulburn, Nerriga and Captains Flat.