Central Coast residents are being urged to prepare their homes and take care on Coast roads with heavy rain to hit the region from 8pm tonight.

The Bureau of Meterology (BOM) has advised rainfall is expected to start from 8pm tonight and continue for the next twenty-four hours with the heaviest rain expected pre-dawn.

BoM have advised 150mm to 200mm is expected to fall within the 24 hour period along with 4 metre swells on Coast beaches over the coming days.

Residents are being urged to prepare their homes and gardens by clearing gutters and drains. Make sure your pets or animals are safe and secure and have access to cover as required.

Travel on roads will be difficult particularly in the peak times of travel to work and school drop off and residents are advised to take extra care and allow extra time. Never enter any flooded road and please obey all road closure signage.

Residents are encouraged to download the Emergency + app, listen to local radio and follow Council on Facebook and Twitter or Council’s website – centralcoast.nsw.gov.au to keep up to date with storm information.

For emergency help relating to a damage to a property call the State Emergency Service on 132 500. In a life and death emergency call 000.