these maps show the areas at risk of flooding and storms

Three people are dead and tens of thousands are isolated as record-breaking floods wreak havoc on the New South Wales coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned that heavy to locally intense rain would continue on the NSW Mid North Coast on Thursday, and that heavy rain would develop around the southern Hunter region, the Blue Mountains and the Southern Highlands on Thursday night.

The below maps show the extent of current and predicted NSW floods. Red indicates immediate danger, blue is current flooding, and yellow is predicted flooding. The striped red area shows where residents should be prepared for storms.

Live webcam footage also depicts the wet conditions along the NSW coast.

As The Conversation has reported, the wet weather in NSW is due to a combination of factors.

A trough is sitting over the Mid North Coast, bringing rain and unstable conditions. Winds from the east are also bringing moisture to the coast. And since Sunday, all this has been compounded by a “cut-off low” in the upper atmosphere. The combination of the trough, and low pressure at higher levels, can cause air to converge and rise. As air rises it cools, moisture condenses and rain occurs.

The NSW State Emergency Service advises that people:

• don’t drive, ride or walk through floodwater

• keep clear of creeks and storm drains

• if you need rescuing, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000

• be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks

• stay vigilant and monitor conditions.

For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.