A ship full of crew members is stranded off the coast of Sydney and the torrential rain is making it too hard to reach.
One person has already been killed as New South Wales faces its fourth round of major flooding.
The power of Mother Nature is up against a completely powerless cargo ship stranded in the roughest of Sydney's seas.
There are currently 21 crew members on board and there's no help on its way just yet.
"We thought of lifting them off-board. But we spoke to Australia Maritime and they believe it is unsafe to do that at this time," said incident controller John Finch.
The torrential downpours have already claimed the life of a kayaker. It's the first and only death so far and rescuers are adamant no more lives will be lost.
"This is the worst I've seen it," one local said.
More than 100 people have called for help, but on the banks of the rising Hawkesbury River, it's becoming too dangerous for even the ones trained to do so.
"It's a bit risky. Not even ourselves will be on the water unless we absolutely have to at this time," said Colin Britton from the SES Rescue Service.
At one point, the river was rising more than 1.5 metres per hour. It's slowed down now, but hasn't stopped.
It's taking with it everything in its path - regardless of value.
Western Sydney resident Jim Sweeney has watched his horse sheds and granny flat go under.
"Obviously mentally and emotionally draining… It's frustrating," he said.
Because this is the third time it's flooded this year.
"You don't really know how high the water's going to go."
But everyone knows one thing - it's not over yet.
