Sydney, April 21 (IANS): At least three people were killed and over 200,000 homes have been left without power in Sydney and across the New South Wales (NSW) after severe storms hit the Australian state on Tuesday.

Heavy rain and wind gusts of more than 130 km per hour have brought down trees, power lines and have caused major transport disruptions, ABC reported.

According to reports, the victims -- two men and a woman, were washed away by the floodwaters in Dungog, north of Newcastle.

The Upper Hunter region is believed to be one of the worst affected after 312 mm of rain fell in 24 hours.

The Paterson river at Dungog has risen to 14.78 m and is expected to rise to 15.5 m till Tuesday afternoon, which is higher than the 1978 flood peak.

NSW premier Mike Baird said that there will be an improvement in conditions at about midnight.

"It will be slow but steady as we go through to the early hours of the morning and continuing through until tomorrow (Wednesday)."

The authorities are urging people to stay off the roads.