This is the dramatic moment a helicopter crew rescued a mother who was stranded in her home during floods in New South Wales, Australia, today.

Footage shows the team from the State Emergency Service reaching the property in Taree before wading through the deluge. The resident was carried to safety with her treasured possessions under her arms.

A spokesman said: 'One of the incidents attended by our crews up in the Taree area with the devastating floods impacting over a huge area.

'A son had alerted NSW SES that his mother was possibly in trouble. A short search located the property and a rescue crew member deployed when know one could be seen.

'A short search later located her, a quick check to make sure all was as best could be then the ride of a lifetime being winched back into the helicopter and taken to the emergency centre to get warm and reunite with loved ones.'

Authorities said the relentless rainfall was caused by a slow-moving coastal trough, which has dumped around four months' worth of rain in just two days.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology warned that some areas could receive up to 200 mm (8 inches) of rain by Friday, potentially triggering life-threatening flash floods.

The weather system is expected to weaken later in the week as it moves south toward Sydney.