Commonwealth and state funding for those affected by the floods will become available on Thursday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there would be 250 ADF personnel available from Thursday in addition to the 100 personnel already playing a role.

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“It’s expected that we’ll use the fact that there are facilities available and personnel available in synchronism,” Albanese said.

Weatherzone meteorologist Yoska Hernández said an upper trough and low-pressure system over NSW was driving the heavy rainfall over the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions, but it was likely to move offshore on Wednesday afternoon.

She added some areas are likely to receive 150 to 200mm of rain, particularly south of Kempsey, and some locations will see isolated thunderstorms which could see them exceed the rainfall forecast.

Many locations received more than double their monthly average rainfall. This includes Cessnock, which has received 137mm of rain to date – much higher than its 29mm July monthly average; Camden, which has seen 232mm in the past five days, 197mm more than its monthly average; and Kiama which has received 318mm more rain than its monthly average, with 392.8mm.

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Meanwhile, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority has issued a legal direction to the master of the cargo ship which became stranded off the coast of Sydney earlier this week, warning the ship must comply with the government and move to a berth in Botany Bay on Wednesday.

Bad weather caused the bulk carrier to lose power while travelling north from Port Kembla on Monday morning. It has since been anchored off Port Botany near Cronulla in Sydney’s south after attempts to bring the ship to berth were thwarted by weather conditions.

In a statement from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority released on Wednesday morning, the federal government agency said that it had warned the Portland Bay ship’s captain that it must be moved into the harbour today now that the wild weather has subsided. The vessel has 21 people on board.

A large tugboat – the Glenrock – arrived from Newcastle at the ship’s current location yesterday and is said to have the capabilities to bring the ship to berth.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority executive director Mark Morrow said he expected the Portland Bay to be moved “as early as possible”.

“It is vital that the vessel be moved into safe harbour before the next front of bad weather arrives tomorrow,” he said.

“As always, we want to ensure that the crew are safe and the vessel can be made sea worthy while the next east coast low passes through the region. Those smaller tugs have done amazing work over the past 24-36 hours ensuring the stricken vessel did not drift onto some of Sydney’s most pristine coastline.”

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