Despite reports of widespread damage both north and south of the Hunter, the region’s gun-shy residents, still getting over the scars of last year’s April superstorm and last January’s floods, came out of the weekend relatively unscathed.

Two potentially-damaging East Coast Lows developed off the mid-north coast on the weekend and headed south, dumping nearly 200mm of rain at Nelson Bay and other parts of the region but failing to produce the damaging high winds.

The Hunter’s State Emergency Service reported 328 callouts since last Thursday, most being for sandbags and leaking roofs.

They had completed 316 of those jobs by 4pm on Sunday and were preparing to send crews to the devastated areas across the north coast, Sydney and south coast.

There were reports of some trees down across Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie, although the damage was believed to be minimal.

Power was lost to some Nelson Bay residents on Saturday night, although it was restored to all but but about 80 customers by early Sunday.

Police were forced to turn surfers away from Stockton Beach on Sunday afternoon after at least two men neded to be rescued by jetski in the huge surf.

The severe weather warning and flood watches remained in place across the Hunter on Sunday night, as the second East Coast Low made its way south off the Hunter coast.

SUNDAY:

RAINFALL and wind gusts on Saturday were weaker than expected, but a severe weather warning remains in place for Sunday.

Hunter SES community engagement officer Amanda Hyde said the region's units had taken about 300 requests for assistance since Thursday, with half of those being for sandbags.

It included 143 jobs for Maitland (mostly sandbags) with Lake Macquarie (21), Newcastle (21), Tomaree (19) Cessnock (15) and Port Stephens (8) all receiving requests for assistance.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has recorded more than 50 millimetres of rain in Newcastle since Friday.

The weather meter at Williamtown recorded 92.6 millimetres since Friday, while Cessnock recorded more than 30 millimetres.

The severe weather warning, issued by the Bureau of Meteorology on Sunday morning, is for destructive winds, heavy rainfall, abnormally high tides and damaging surf.

The Port Stephens dolphin census, due to be carried out on Sunday, has been postponed to June 19.

the NSW IRB Premiership, which was to be held at Birubi Beach across the June 4 and 5 weekend, was cancelled on Saturday after about four hours of racing.

The SES advises that people should: 

- Move vehicles under cover or away from trees. 

- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony. 

- Keep at least eight metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences. 

- Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid on 131 388, or Endeavour Energy on 131 003 or Essential Energy on 132 080, as shown on your power bill. 

- Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water. 

- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains. 

- If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue. 

- For emergency help in floods and storms, phone NSW SES on 132 500. 

FRIDAY:

THE first weekend of winter in Port Stephens is expected to be a wild and windy one.

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a wet weekend for the Hunter region, taking in Port Stephens, with powerful swells and strong winds along the coast.

The prediction has prompted Surf Life Saving NSW to warn water users, including swimmers, boaties and rock fishermen, to make personal safety their number one priority this weekend.

Especially as there are no volunteer lifesavers on patrol during winter.

“The public needs to be aware that while our callout teams are ready to respond to coastal emergencies, for this weekend we would advise people to think carefully before entering the water,” surf lifesaving manager Andy Kent said.

Police are also urging motorists to take care on the roads across NSW this weekend.

“With heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and hazardous surf expected this weekend, we are advising everyone to take greater care,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Geoff Mckechnie said.

“Motorists have been used to driving in dry conditions of late but heavy winds and rainfall brings with it a range of dangers including slippery roads and debris.

“If you need to be out, plan your trip and check the relevant websites for updated information on traffic and weather conditions.”

Police are urging motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to be mindful of the dangers of flooded roads.

Due to hidden dangers and debris, motorists should not enter flood waters or cross flooded causeways. 

Any motorist towing a caravan or trailer on the weekend is being reminded to slow down and exercise extreme caution.

For emergency flood and storm help phone NSW SES on 132 500 or go to ses.nsw.gov.au.

A peak east/north east swell of four metres is expected to impact the coastline on Saturday, from Southern NSW right through to the Queensland border.

Similar conditions are forecast to continue throughout Sunday and into Monday with large and powerful swells right along the coast expected.

Along with the powerful swells that have been forecast, rock fishers in particular need to be aware that a long period swell of up to 12 seconds is anticipated.

General safety tips during dangerous surf conditions:

- Avoid rock fishing and water activities on exposed beaches/rock-shelves

- Check the official Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecast before undertaking rock fishing and water activities

- Boaties should seek advice from Marine Rescue NSW, log on and off and always wear a lifejacket

- If witnessing an in-water emergency dial triple-0

THURSDAY:

HEAVY rain and winds predicted for Port Stephens on the weekend has forced organisers of this year’s dolphin census to postpone the event.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has forecast a “very high” chance of rain in the Newcastle area, taking in Port Stephens, for Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5.

WeatherZone has forecast a 90 per cent chance of between 40 and 80 millimetres on Saturday for Nelson Bay. On the Sunday the forecaster has predicted falls between 20 and 40mm.

The dolphin census, past of this year’s Naturefest, was due to take place between 11am and noon on Sunday.

But the forecast released on Thursday prompted organisers to postpone the dolphin count until Sunday, June 19.

The BOM predicts rain will fall across Port Stephens, all weekend, before easing Monday.

Nelson Bay residents will also have to contend with windy conditions.