Welcome to our live coverage of the northern NSW flood disaster, which has prompted a large-scale response amid record-breaking rainfall. I’m .

Here’s what you need to know:

A spill at Warragamba Dam is unlikely to happen after less rain fell overnight than expected, WaterNSW announced this morning. Yesterday the body cautioned the dam could spill as early as this morning.

A spokesperson for WaterNSW, James Yousifm said though a spill is unlikely to occur, they will not remove the warning until later in the day if rain continues to ease.

“A spill at Warragamba Dam is now less likely after overnight rain over the catchment came in below the highest forecasts.

“WaterNSW will continue to monitor dam inflows and rainfall throughout the day and will keep the community updated on any expected impacts on Warragamba Dam,” Yousif said.

The man found dead north-west of Coffs Harbour this morning was killed after his car was swept off a causeway by floodwater, Acting NSW police commissioner Peter Thurtell said at a press conference.

“A male in his late 70s was found about 4:30am this morning off the Orara Way at Nana Glen,” Thurtell said. “It would appear as though he has driven into floodwaters and his vehicle has been swept off the causeway.”

Drivers can find it difficult to distinguish between floodwater and wet roads, he said.

“It can be disorientating. Often it’s the case that we will never know whether they accidentally drove into the flood waters,” Thurtell said.

“We can only re-issue the message, do not drive into floodwaters of any depth. I’ve seen cars swept away in six inches, so it’s very dangerous, and you don’t know what’s under the surface.”

Residents and business owners moving through floodwater or returning to flooded homes and premises should be aware of dirty water, snakes and electrical risks, NSW SES deputy commissioner Damien Johnston said at a press conference.

Here’s what he said:

There are many risks that come with floodwaters, if your home or premise has been inundated.

Floodwaters have contaminants. There can be vermin, snakes ... so you need to assess those risks.

Electricity can also pose a danger as well so when you return … if you’re unsure, especially with electrical hazards, get a qualified electrician in and make sure that it is free of risk.

The coastal trough responsible for bringing record rain to northern NSW has become more mobile after it was parked for days over soaked catchments, the Bureau of Meteorology’s Jane Golding said at a press conference.

That’s what’s allowed a reprieve of heavy rainfall across the Mid North Coast and the Hunter.

“The floodwaters will recede over the coming days,” she said, adding that for some systems it would take several days and water levels would remain dangerous.

Major flood warnings remain in place for the Hastings, Macleay, Manning and Gloucester rivers.

Golding shared these significant rainfall totals since 9am yesterday:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed flood-affected residents of NSW will be able to access the Disaster Recovery Allowance from Monday. He’s preparing to chopper in to flood-affected areas on the Mid North Coast.

The funding provides up to 13 weeks of fortnightly payments to people who can’t work or will lose income in the wake of disaster.

Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain activated the allowance yesterday for four flood-stricken areas, including Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dungog and the MidCoast Council area.

“If it’s flooded, forget it. Do not drive through floodwaters,” Albanese said on Triple M Newcastle. “Listen to the advice. Make sure you log on to the relevant sites and keep informed if you’re in these communities because we just don’t want to see any further tragedies.”

Authorities have provided an update on the NSW flood disaster. Watch below.

Police have found the body of a man in a car in floodwaters north-west of Coffs Harbour.

Another driver alerted police to a car they had spotted which had run off a road in Nana Glen, about 30 kilometres from Coffs Harbour, about 4.30am this morning.

Police officers and personnel from the NSW State Emergency Service found the body of the man, believed to be in his 70s, inside the car.

The incident brings the death toll of the flood disaster to four.

Sydney was drenched overnight by heavy rainfall making its way down from the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions that is set to continue into the early evening.

Since 9pm on Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology has recorded widespread rainfall of 100 to 200 millimetres from Kempsey to inland of the Wollongong area.

Flash flooding warnings have been issued for the South Coast beyond Wollongong, including Merimbula, the Illawarra and the Southern Tablelands.

Bureau senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said more flood warnings were likely to come.

“We’re likely to see minor to moderate flood warnings for many of our river catchments from Coffs Harbour down to around Wollongong today.”

The rain is expected to begin to ease by afternoon for northern NSW and into the evening for Greater Sydney. A hazardous surf warning has also been issued for the NSW coastline.

Flash flooding caught drivers unaware overnight in the state’s south-east, SES Chief Superintendent Dallas Burnes said this morning.

“We are performing some flood rescues in the south-eastern part of the state, people getting surprised with what’s happened on the roadways as they go to work and it’s still dark.

“It’s really dangerous out there. People should be really careful if they’re travelling.”