Caught in the rain? Share your flood stories

Unexpectedly wild weather created havoc right across Sydney yesterday (March 8) with the Bureau of Meteorology reporting 134 millimetres of rainfall over a single 24-hour period.

In fact, it is thought that yesterday's chaotic deluge was the heaviest rainfall Australia's largest city has seen in more than five years - with NSW transport minister Duncan Gay describing the day as "a hell of a rain event".

With road closures and news of flash floods across the city, as well as reports of power outages in several suburbs, it's not surprising that many outdoor workers would have stayed safely at home yesterday to escape the downpour.

Today, NSW deputy state emergency operations controller Andrew Murdoch revealed that sandbags were shipped in from Queensland to help emergency services workers across NSW cope with the rain.

An estimated 100,000 sandbags were brought in from Australian Defence Force bases in Queensland to assist flood-affected areas in NSW, in addition to the 300,000 sandbags that were sourced in NSW, Murdoch said in a statement.

"It is rare to use this amount of sandbags but the magnitude of this flood operation means that we have to use every available resource," he said, adding that most of the QLD-sourced sandbags were sent to relieve the flood-stricken Murrumbidgee and Lachlan regions.

But now that the sun is shining again, clean-up efforts and repairs are well underway - and demand for tradie services is sure to be on the rise.

Murdoch has offered his top tips for anyone cleaning up flood-affected areas to ensure health and safety.

"While it's not over yet, some areas are starting the process of recovery and that generally begins with cleaning up," he said, adding that taking a few simple measures could benefit workers' health and safety.

He warned tradies and emergency services to be especially vigilant about preventing infection, as floodwaters could be contaminated with sewage and could carry parasites and viruses.

In addition to wearing gloves, Murdoch advised that anyone in contact with flood-contaminated materials should take care to wash their hands thoroughly and use an alcohol gel disinfectant.

Anyone involved in clean-up efforts or repairs on flood-damaged properties should also take care to avoid contact between floodwater and any open cuts or abrasions.

Were you caught unaware in yesterday's floods? Have you been called out on a clean-up mission? Share your flood stories in the comments below.