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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.

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.

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home washed away in storm

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Holmesville, NSW

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Branxton, NSW

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Campbelltown

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Holmesville, NSW

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Engadine, NSW

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Holmesville, NSW

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Holmesville, NSW

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Gorokan, NSW

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