Heavy rain continues to batter Sydney and the central coast, with flash flooding trapping people in their cars, closing roads and causing landslides and rock falls.

The NSW State Emergency Service has had 560 calls for help since yesterday afternoon due to leaking roofs and rain damage on the coast, northern beaches and in western Sydney.

The big wet ... Bondi lifeguards run back to their tower in a rain storm. Credit:Anthony Johnson

There were three flood rescues on the central coast, with rising water trapping one man in his car on Burns Road, Ourimbah, yesterday afternoon and two others in the same spot three hours later.

Two children and one adult also had to be rescued when they were caught in flash flooding at a grammar school in Holgate.