Sydney, Illawarra in Oswald's path

About 2000 people have been isolated by floodwaters as destructive winds and rain hit northern NSW. Source: AAP

HUNDREDS of emergency service workers are on standby across NSW as floodwaters rise and ex-tropical cyclone Oswald heads south.

Some 2000 people were cut off in the state's drenched north and flood warnings remain in place for seven NSW river systems on Monday.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned residents near the Tweed River, Wilsons and Richmond Rivers and the Clarence Valley they could face major flooding.

State Emergency Service spokesman Phil Campbell says the service had already received 1400 calls for help by 2pm (AEDT) on Monday, mainly from the north-east corner of NSW.

Mr Campbell said there had been 13 flood rescues already, including several involving people who had ignored warnings and tried to drive through floodwaters in the Tweed area.

"Our warnings are not being heeded quite as diligently as we would hope," he said.

Authorities expected the number of people isolated to continue rising through the afternoon and the night.

"We would expect potentially several thousand more people may be affected," Mr Campbell said.

Flood rescue crews are already on standby in northern Sydney, where the SES expects storm, coastal erosion and rescue operations to ramp up over the next 24-hours.

A severe weather warning takes in major population centres including metropolitan Sydney and the Hunter region, and the weather system is expected to reach the Illawarra at dawn on Tuesday.

Northern Sydney SES incident controller Tony Pinelli told AAP rescuers were bracing for prolonged rainfall, gale force winds and damaging surf conditions.

Waterfront residents were sandbagging on Monday afternoon and SES volunteers were helping with property protection.

"We're talking about astronomically high tides," Mr Pinelli said.

Flood rescue specialists and boats, as well as two winch-capable helicopters, were ready to go if required.

Those travelling home from being away over the long weekend should be extremely careful when driving, he said, but it was hoped most Sydneysiders would be "wrapped up in bed" during the worst of the storm overnight.

The Ambulance Service of NSW has deployed 11 paramedics specially trained in swiftwater rescue to Coffs Harbour, on the NSW mid north coast.

The paramedics have already rescued a couple from a car in a caravan park near Coffs Harbour.

"We are in constant contact with the SES to see how the situation develops as the ex-cyclone moves out of the Northern Rivers region and tracks towards Coffs," Superintendent Wayne McKenna said.

"So it's a watch and see as we go situation."

NSW Police said the Public Information and Inquiry Centre had been activated and people can contact the centre on 1800 227 228 with questions about the flood and storm operation across NSW.

The inquiry hotline does not replace any emergency hotlines.

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