![Town Beach at lunchtime on Friday, September 23. Picture by Ruby Pascoe Town Beach at lunchtime on Friday, September 23. Picture by Ruby Pascoe](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ruby.pascoe/f124e837-580e-41e6-b70a-46f8b1dd52e1.jpg/r0_0_4032_2267_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Update 1.30pm Friday:
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A low pressure system over the of northeast NSW is moving offshore and rainfall is easing.
Flooding is no longer expected for the Hastings River.
River rises are expected to continue through Friday and begin to ease into the weekend for some areas.
Severe thunderstorms are forecast for coastal areas from the Queensland/NSW border to Port Macquarie on Friday, with the chance of thunderstorms extending further south to the Blue Mountains on Saturday. This will bring the increased risk of flash flooding, hazardous driving conditions, and gusty winds may bring down trees and powerlines.
This is an evolving situation and the BoM is monitoring rainfall and river heights closely. The BoM will update its forecasts and warnings regularly.
Communities should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via its website and BoM Weather app and follow advice of emergency services.
Update 11am Friday:
The Hastings River remains on flood watch this morning as the wet weather conditions ease.
Minor flooding is possible along the Hastings River due to the deluge of rain throughout yesterday and last night.
BoM has now cancelled a severe weather warning for the Northern part of the state.
Update 5pm Thursday:
Warnings are still current for the Mid North Coast, particularly in the northern centres of Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Sawtell and Dorrigo.
Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is expected to continue about these districts this evening.
Rising river levels have also triggered flood warnings in Thora and Bellingen.
![This submerged vehicle is a reminder not to drive through floodwaters. Picture from Mid North Coast SES This submerged vehicle is a reminder not to drive through floodwaters. Picture from Mid North Coast SES](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/173301740/4e790181-a76f-443c-bc00-5611927a2188.jpg/r0_166_843_778_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Across the Mid North Coast, six-hourly rainfall totals of 60mm to 80mm are expected, with isolated falls to 120mm, possible.
Twenty-four hourly rainfall totals of 80mm to 120mm are expected, with isolated falls to 200mm possible.
Clearance is expected during the late evening or early Friday morning.
A Flood Watch is current for the region. For more details, refer to bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/
Meanwhile, the Mid North Coast State Emergency Services (SES) is reminding people not to drive through floodwaters after receiving several rescue call-outs across the day.
They have shared an image of a submerged car as a reminder how quickly water levels can rise.
Update 3pm Thursday:
Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms will continue on Thursday night and into Friday along the NSW coast including the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and Hunter regions.
A severe weather warning for heavy rainfall is current for the Northern Rivers and parts of the Mid North Coast with 24-hourly totals of 80 to 120mm expected, and isolated falls of 200mm possible.
The situation is evolving and the BoM is monitoring the rainfall closely.
BoM weather warnings can be found here.
Update 11am Thursday:
![Port Macquarie's bar and breakwall on Thursday morning, September 22. Screenshot of NSW Government live webcam Port Macquarie's bar and breakwall on Thursday morning, September 22. Screenshot of NSW Government live webcam](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/173301740/be4248f2-b05d-42ce-bfff-f8e18879461f.png/r0_0_1532_860_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A Severe Weather Warning is current for the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast.
The weather system may cause flooding for the catchments listed from Thursday.
What the SES is expecting:
- Macleay River - minor flooding
- Hastings River - minor flooding
- Camden Haven River - minor flooding
- Manning and Gloucester Rivers - minor flooding
For minor flood warnings low-lying areas next to water courses may be inundated. Minor roads may be closed and low-level bridges submerged. In urban areas inundation may affect some backyards and buildings below the floor level as well as bicycle and pedestrian paths. In rural areas removal of stock and equipment may be required.
Update 9am Thursday:
A severe weather warning for heavy rainfall has been issued for the Mid North Coast.
A deep low pressure system over northern NSW is causing areas of rain across the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers districts. The low pressure system, along with the rain, is expected to move offshore during Friday.
The rainfall may lead to flash flooding.
Six-hourly rainfall totals of 60 to 80mm, with isolated falls to 120mm are possible.
24-hour rainfall totals of 80-120mm, with isolated falls to 200mm are possible.
Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree and Dorrigo.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
![Worst of the weather system passes, flood watch cancelled for the Hastings Worst of the weather system passes, flood watch cancelled for the Hastings](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ruby.pascoe/483c5e7e-7a34-49d1-b997-0d761a897f8f.jpg/r0_0_504_540_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
- Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
- Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
- After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
- Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
- For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
Wednesday 4pm:
![Port Macquarie Town Beach on Wednesday afternoon. Picture by Ruby Pascoe Port Macquarie Town Beach on Wednesday afternoon. Picture by Ruby Pascoe](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ruby.pascoe/b47d3707-8c0b-4199-b102-985d6175eb72.jpg/r0_0_4032_2267_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is monitoring a weather system that will likely bring moderate rainfall and thunderstorms across the Hastings from Thursday into the weekend.
This unsettled weather brings with it some heavier rainfall in isolated areas increasing the potential for localised flash flooding.
As a result, residents, and visitors to the Mid North Coast, including the Coffs Coast, Kempsey, Nambucca, and the Hastings; along with Coutts Crossing and the Upper Hunter should take extra care to review their flood plans and to prepare for possible flash flood impacts and storm conditions.
SES Superintendent Joanna Jones advises that river catchments remain full and any storm or weather event can lead to possible flash flooding.
"The NSW SES urges all residents and visitors to take the time now to review their properties and prepare them for storm activity by clearing their gutters, removing dead branches and any loose items around their properties," she said.
"Flash flooding can occur anywhere at anytime in storm or heavy rain events - if the culvert or causeway has water in it - don't risk it. If it's flooded, forget it."
NSW SES volunteers are always well prepared and ready to assist their local communities, however working together leads to better outcomes for the whole community.
"Make sure you know your risk, have an up-to-date emergency plan and emergency kit. Preparing early will save you vital time during an emergency," Supt. Jones said.
The BoM is predicting between 35 and 50mm of rain for Port Macquarie on Thursday and a chance of a thunderstorm.
The forecast is similar for Kempsey, with up to 50mm of rain expected. Minor flooding along the Macleay River is also predicted.
For more information on NSW SES visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au
For emergency assistance in floods and storms call NSW SES on 132 500.