Maitland locals swap flood tales

Gathering in one of the few places in town with power, conveniently with beer on tap, Maitland locals are swapping tales about the worst flooding in decades.

In the city near Newcastle, most businesses have closed their doors, cars have been abandoned in rising floodwaters and homes inundated with rain.

Local Paul Myers, 40, had water running down his walls from early Tuesday.

"I had water nearly a foot deep running down the side of the house," Mr Myers said over a schooner at the Windsor Castle Hotel.

"There is nothing we could do to stop it.

"This weather hasn't happened since the Pasha Bulker (bulk carrier was grounded on a Newcastle beach in 2007)."

Ron Cant took refuge at the pub after having water start creeping in the back of his house, which sits on one of the most elevated streets in Maitland.

"I have never seen this much rain in my whole life and I have lived in for 44 years," he said.

Nick Gyger was one of the many locals utilising a pub's power outlets to charge his phones.

"At 4am it started with a loud bang with a tree down out the front of my place," he said.

"I have never seen it this bad in my 30 years.

"I can't contact the SES either because they are constantly engaged."