THE State Emergency Service urged sightseers to stay at home as floodwaters inundated streets and properties on the Central Coast on Sunday.
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A member of the Wyong SES crew took to the group's Facebook page to voice their frustration.
"It is incredibly disappointing to see the number of people... just out to drive their cars through flood water for fun, or driving along with a camera hanging out the window hoping to get some social media pictures in the chase of likes," the crew member said.
"Meanwhile our volunteers are placing their lives at risk going into flood water to rescue these people and our teams trying to help the community cannot get to jobs because of the number of people driving around for no reason.
"If you do not need to be on roads stay home."
The Central Coast was hit hard.
The Bureau of Meteorology said Norah Head received 294mm of rain in the four days from Friday to Monday.
In the same period, 260mm of rain was recorded at Cooranbong.
The big wet forced a number of road closures at the top end of the Coast.
The Pacific Highway, at Charmhaven, was closed near the speed camera due to water on the road.
Low-lying areas right around the lake were inundated.
Homes at San Remo, Budgewoi, Buff Point, Charmhaven and Toukley were among those impacted by the rising water of Tuggerah Lakes.
Power outages added to the distress for many residents, Central Coast mayor Lisa Matthews said.
"The severe weather has caused fallen trees and broken powerlines across some roads and properties, in addition to flooding and debris impacting many locations across the Coast," Cr Matthews said.
"I urge everyone to be patient while council, SES and Ausgrid methodically prioritise and manage the clean-up. We appreciate all the information that the community has provided to assist us in prioritising the work."
The council would remove fallen trees and debris from council property in the coming weeks, she said.