The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is responding to multiple call-outs for flash flood rescues in Sydney’s east, and there has been major disruption to flights at Sydney Airport.

SES crews have responded to nearly 100 incidents in recent hours, with dozens of flood rescues since a storm cell swept through the city on Sunday afternoon.

A spokesperson said they have included rescues for people trapped inside their vehicles and due to flood water coming into homes and entering garages.

The worst affected suburbs include Rosebery, Pagewood, Malabar, Botany, East Gardens, Mascot and Maroubra.

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The SES has also heard reports of 30 townhouses being inundated by flash flooding in Pagewood.

However, a severe thunderstorm warning has been cancelled in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and surrounding areas.

“The immediate threat of severe thunderstorms has passed, but the situation will continue to be monitored and further warnings will be issued if necessary,” the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Disruption to flights

There has also been disruption to flights at Sydney Airport, with some flights being diverted interstate due to the dangerous storm cell.

Air traffic control imposed a ground-stop on all flights into Sydney just before 5pm for about an hour.

A Qantas spokesperson said that 20 flights have been diverted to Melbourne and Canberra, where they will refuel before returning to Sydney.

There are also flight delays as a result of the disruption while roads around the domestic airport have been flooded, impacting traffic.

A Sydney Airport spokesman has told the ABC flights are currently arriving and departing, “however some earlier flights were affected with a number of arriving services delayed”.

“Passengers are encouraged to leave plenty of time for their journey to the airport, and to check with their airline regarding the status of their flight,” they said.