Sydney residents have today been urged to avoid non-essential travel as an east coast low pressure system continues to wreak havoc on the state's roads.

The intense storm battering NSW with torrential rain and damaging winds has forced some residents to evacuate their homes in the north of the state.

New South Wales' State Emergency Service crews has received about 3600 calls for help and 120 flood rescues have been performed, mostly involving stranded motorists.

More than 9000 homes and businesses remain without power across Sydney and the Central Coast.

The SES are racing to complete the remaining clean-up jobs on the Gold Coast before dark today after yesterday's torrential rain, with roughly 80 jobs are outstanding.

Flooding, fallen trees and damage to roofs were the most common complaints, with the SES receiving more than 1,000 calls for assistance yesterday.

The weather has also been cited as a possible cause of a fatal crash near Ipswich that claimed the lives of 2 people.