For Addison Road residents Rob and Erin Bell, it was their third flood since buying the home from Mrs Bell’s nan Mary McGraw seven years ago, and the second flood while Mrs Bell was heavily pregnant.

She said a previous flood occurred while she was six months pregnant, and yesterday’s inundation occurred while she was seven months pregnant.

Water got into the house despite the SES dropping off sandbags at the home last week, however Mrs Bell said it certainly reduced the amount of water that entered the home after it reached about 10cm up the exterior walls.

With water rising from a nearby creek, Mrs Bell decided to evacuate herself to ensure she was able to get out.

“It all happened so quickly,” she said.

“It was all fine when I arrived home after shopping, but by the time I unpacked the groceries I almost couldn’t get out of my driveway.”

Mrs Bell said hers was not the only home inundated as “lots of people up the shops were buying mops”.

Elsewhere in the Shoalhaven people were keeping close eyes on water levels after heavy rain on Wednesday night, during which 90mm fell in Nowra, taking the total for the month to more than 215mm.

Rain was heavier elsewhere in the Shoalhaven’s catchment.

For the 24 hours to 9am yesterday there was more than 120mm of rain at Fitzroy Falls, 112mm at Jerrawangala, 108mm at Tomerong, 119mm at Brogers and 100mm or more at Leweston, Robertson, Barrengarry and Sassafras.

Places also recorded up to 18mm to 3pm yesterday.

The heavy rain overnight left water on roads including Bolong Road, where the neighbouring Thurgate Oval was turned into a lake complete with ducks.

It also left the Shoalhaven River lapping at the top of the car park beside the sailing club, while boat ramps at Greys Beach and in Bomaderry Creek disappeared under the water.

Yesterday afternoon the river continued to rise to 1.86 metres at Nowra and 1.89 metres at Terara, which was below flood level – but still rising.

However there was no flood warning for the river and SES officials said there appeared to be no threat from the Shoalhaven River.

Further afield the normally meandering Moona Moona Creek was turned into a torrent, contributing to rough seas and pounding surf at the normally peaceful location.

Roads and Maritime Services yesterday alerted boat owners from the South Coast to ensure their moored craft were safe and secure following heavy rains and strong winds.

Acting general manager of maritime operations, Trevor Williams, said people who owned boats on moorings in and around the South Coast needed to take extra care after a yacht and a houseboat broke free of their moorings in Batemans Bay, and a vessel ran aground after breaking free from its mooring in Eden.

“Fresh to strong winds, heavy rain and now debris floating down some of the busy waterways can all threaten moored craft,” Mr Williams said.