Sydney

The Bureau of Meteorology said some areas recorded as much as 49 millimetres in an hour.

RNZ reports the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) said a building with 100 people inside was threatening to collapse in the western suburb of Marrickville, after the morning of heavy rain.

SES crews were en route to the site.

Emergency services were also called to about 13 flood-related rescues.

SES spokeswoman Becky Gollings said the rescued people were caught by surprise but were now safe.

The Fijiana finished fifth at the opening leg in Dubai in December and head coach Iliesa Tanivula said their goal remains to become a semifinal regular.

"We just didn't take our chances in the quarter final against England - we thought we gave it away," he said.

"We put a lot of pressure on ourselves and made a couple of silly mistakes but it's something that we've spoken about as a squad.

"We've really worked hard and the girls have really really bought into it so just looking forward to this weekend."

The 40-year-old man was arrested at Sydney Airport on Thursday after arriving on a plane from London.

The alleged threats were made on social media, said Acting Deputy Commissioner Frank Mennilli.

Police also raided a house and a storage facility in Sydney, seizing documents and computer hard drives.

There was no remaining threat to the community, police said. However, they would not provide details of the alleged threats while the matter was before the court.

Winner of the inaugural Stella Runway 2016 Designer of the Year Award, Genevieve Igara-Falevai, the designer and founder of Wantok Clothing, showcased her label’s unique on 21 October.

An accidental fashion designer, Genevieve passed on a career in economics to follow her passion to create beautiful garments with a Papua New Guinean twist.

Starting her label in 2015, Genevieve has been awarded Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Project Runway 2015 and 2016; Stella Runway 2016 Designer of the Year; and dresser for Miss Papua New Guinea 2015 and 2016.

Heavy bursts of rain and gusty south-easterly winds are expected throughout the morning on Friday, before the rain eases to showers in the afternoon and into the weekend.

Weatherzone meteorologist Tristan Meyers said the Sydney basin was forecast to reach a top of 22 degrees on Friday, a far cry from the scorching 40-degree heat Sydneysiders endured before storms swept through about 2pm on Thursday.

And as New South Wales prepares for severe weather police have reactivated their arson taskforce.

Emergency services have been placed on high alert before expected near record-breaking temperatures and strong gusty winds, which could turn much of the state into a tinderbox.