The NSW State Emergency Services (SES) still has 32 warnings in place across the state, maintaining its orders from earlier this week for people in Wamberal and North Entrance to evacuate.

‘Strong to damaging’ winds

However, “strong to damaging” winds averaging 55 to 65 km/h, with peak gusts of about 100 km/h, are still likely in parts of the Northern Tablelands, the Mid North Coast hinterland, and around the Border Ranges, and are expected to ease later on Thursday morning.

Locations which may be affected include eastern metropolitan Sydney, Wollongong, Ulladulla, and Tenterfield.

Six-metre-high waves

Waves with heights exceeding six metres have been observed in some of these areas.

Severe warning for Lord Howe Island

SES has advised people on the island to:

• Keep clear of fallen power lines.
• Stay indoors, away from windows, and keep children indoors.
• Check your property regularly for erosion or inundation by sea water, and if necessary, raise goods and electrical items.
• Stay out of the water and stay well away from surf-exposed areas.

Warragamba Dam starts to spill

It has been predicted that the peak outflows will reach approximately 60 gigalitres per day.