Blacktown SES controller Gary Fry said emergency service volunteers had responded to more than triple the number of calls for help in January this year than they did last year.

This month was looking just as dramatic with the total number for February 2011 almost reached this year after just seven days.

‘‘There’s been a lot of trees coming down,’’ he said.

‘‘looking at the stats in January 2011, we completed 18 storm-day tasks and for January 2012 we did 61.

‘‘In February last year the figures were similar; we responded to about 17 or 18 calls and it’s up to 11 already this year. It’s pretty consistent.

‘‘As we all know the ground is pretty saturated and any trees that are on a bit of a lean start to fall over. We just keep taking the punches as they come.’’

The wet weather and poor visibility have also caused dangerous conditions on the roads.

An accident on Reservoir Road approaching the M4 at Prospect caused delays earlier today.

And a crash on the M4 near Merrylands this morning saw traffic backed up to Seven Hills.

Blacktown has been soaked with about 83 millimetres of rainfall at Prospect Dam since February 1, which is well on track to surpass the monthly average of 96.1mm.

Blacktown received more than 140mm last month, almost double the January average of 71.8

Forecasters expect the sodden weather to continue until at least Monday.