Heavy rain lashing the NSW coast from the Illawarra to the mid-north coast has sparked flood warnings for multiple areas, including greater Sydney and the state’s far west. The state’s premier, meanwhile, has encouraged all residents to stay at home over the weekend and avoid long-distance travel to the regions. Overnight on Thursday, up to 100mm of rain fell across the regions, sparking more than 400 calls for help to the NSW State Emergency Service. In the past 24 hours, SES crews have undertaken at least 11 flood rescues, three of which were in western Sydney. Seven Oaks, north of Kempsey, copped more than 300mm in the 24 hours to 9 a.m. on Friday, while Aldavilla received 262 mm. More heavy rain, thunderstorms and damaging winds are forecast on Friday and into the weekend, heightening the risk of flash flooding and hazardous surf and heavy swells. Flood watch alerts have …