Update: 1.15pm

Update: 1pm

Wild weather spread water across the city on Wednesday, flooding homes, streets and stores. 

Within a few hours, the NSW SES had received more than 20 calls from Wagga residents as flash flooding crept through front doors and leaked into roof cavities. 

Water pooled across roads at the city’s centre, blocking traffic and saturating bystanders. 

Region controller Jon Gregory said while the worst of the storm seemed to have passed, volunteers were likely to be working into the night. 

“It’s when people head home at the end of the day and see the damage that we get the most calls,” Mr Gregory said. 

“If anyone needs any kind of assistance after today’s event they should call 132 500.”

Close to 20 community members left their jobs and homes to hit the streets as calls for help started to ring through. 

Mr Gregory reminded drivers to take extra care on wet roads this afternoon. 

“Never enter flood water,” he said. 

“And really important to stay away from storm drains.”

Update: Noon 

Riverina rainfall gauges as at midday:

Earlier:

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for much of the Riverina, with storms likely to produce heavy rainfall, large hailstones and damaging winds.

“Locations which may be affected include Wagga Wagga, Young, West Wyalong, Narrandera, Holbrook and Lockhart,” the Bureau of Meteorology said.

The BoM issued a severe weather warning on Monday, predicting heavy rain would impact the region on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

The rest of Wednesday is likely to include potentially severe thunderstorms and more rain, with chances of showers throughout the remainder of the week.

With flash flooding likely, NSW SES region controller Jon Gregory reminded children and parents storm drains could be deadly. 

Mr Gregory – also a Tumut volunteer –  urged residents to be aware of the dangers when walking, playing or riding near storm drains across the city. 

“There are quite a number around Wagga,” Mr Gregory said. 

“We say it again and again: ‘Never enter flood water’.”

Mr Gregory also said increased wind across recent weeks may have filled gutters, causing blockages that could lead to water backing into the home. 

“A simple tennis ball can block a down-pipe and cause water to get into your home,” Mr Gregory said. 

“So make sure gutter cleaning is going on.”

For emergency help in floods and storms call 132 500. 

If the emergency is life threatening call triple-0 immediately. 

The State Emergency Service advises that people should: