It was extreme - and very rare. Monday, October 26 saw an intense rain system hit a section of the Mid Coast between Hawks Nest and Pacific Palms, representing a 1-in-2000 year rain event.
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Around 11am the SES reported the Myall Way intersection with the M1 motorway at Tea Gardens was closed, due to water over the road after 95mm of rainfall in little over an hour was recorded.
Roads were closed in the region including Tarean Road at Karuah, Goreengi Road at The Rock, Viney Creek Road and various roads in the North Arm Cove and Carrington areas. Minor roads from Hawks Nest to Carrington were impacted by stormwater.
Moving northerly, the system intensified over the Pacific Palms area, causing flooding of sections of the Lakes Way from Tarbuck Bay to Pacific Palms.
"The rainfall was extreme, and very rare - over a three hour period, 248mm of rainfall was recorded at Pacific Palms - representing an 1-in-2000-year event according to the Bureau of Meteorology," MidCoast Council's director of infrastructure and engineering services, Rob Scott said.
"With this extreme weather, it's not surprising our sewer and stormwater systems experienced surges. Nothing is designed to cope with rain like that. The water flowing over the roads also caused some damage."
The Lakes Way was closed at several points, including at the Boomerang Drive intersection and the Coomba Road intersection, but had reopened to one traffic lane under escort by 7.35pm.
By Monday evening, the severe weather warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology had been withdrawn, and all roads affecting access to Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest, North Arm Cove, Carrington and Pindimar had reopened.
Boomerang Drive at the intersection of The Lakes Way suffered extensive pavement damage and Macwood Road at Smiths Lake also was damaged.
The majority of the damage occurred on road shoulders with erosion undermining road edges. In some isolated areas, water has been able to lift the bitumen surface off the road. Barrier boards and temporary fencing has been erected to alert motorists to unusual hazards.
"Considering the severity of the rain, we have had relatively minor damage to our roads," Mr Scott said
Roads have reopened, but motorists are advised to slow down, drive with caution and never cross flood waters. More rainfall is forecast for this week.
For local road closures and updates, visit www.myroadinfo.com.au.
