Updated Flood and Storm Information - Friday 5:00pm

The next update on this website will be no later than 11am Saturday morning, 5 September. For up to date flood warnings, visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.

As at 5:00pm, Friday 4 September.

A Flood Warning has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology for the Bellinger, Orara and Hastings Rivers.

Bellinger River: The Minor to Moderate Flood Warning for the Bellinger River was updated at 4:38pm, Friday. Following further heavy rain, the river will reach 5 metres at Thora at 9pm Friday. At this height Hobarts Bridge will be closed, isolating some 500 residents upstream of Thora. Road access should be restored Saturday should an expected easing in rainfall occur. Local bus services to the Thora area have been cancelled for Friday. The Waterfall Way from Bellingen to Dorrigo is now open. At Bellingen the river is expected to reach 5.0 metres at around 9pm this evening with minor rural flooding. This will also close Lavenders Bridge between Bellingen and North Bellingen.

Orara River: The Minor Flood Warning for the Orara River  was updated at 3:59 Friday. The Orara River is expected to exceed the minor flood level at Glenreagh, reaching 6.5 metres around 3am Saturday. This will cause minor rural flooding.

Hastings River: A preliminary Minor flood Warning has been issued for the Hastings River at Kindee Bridge. The Hastings is expected to reach 3.0 metres at around 9pm with minor flooding of rural land.

The Flood Watch has been extended to include the possibility of minor flooding on the Hastings River at Kindee Bridge, along the Manning River at Wingham, the Gloucester River at Gloucester and the Williams and Paterson Rivers. At all locations the main effect of minor flooding is on rural landholders and on low-level bridges and causeways.

The Severe Weather Warning has been re-issued by the Bureau of Meteorology at 4:55pm for flash flooding and damaging winds for the Mid-North Coast and the Northeastern Hunter. A low forming off the far north coast of NSW should move southwards to be located east of Seal Rocks by Saturday morning. This is expected to cause rainfall to increase during the rest of today and overnight in the Mid North Coast district with some locally very heavy rain possible leading to flash flooding. The rain should contract to the Hunter by Saturday morning.

Strong to gale force winds are expected with mean speeds of 65 km/h at times and gusts in excess of 90 km/h along the coastal fringe of the Mid North Coast today, easing overnight on the Mid-North Coast and moving into the Hunter affecting coastal areas of the Hunter.

How to prepare yourself and your household

The SES recommends that people living and working along rivers and areas affected by flash flooding covered by the Flood Watch and Severe Weather Warning begin preparations now for possible flooding.

Rural property owners should move equipment, stock and pumps to higher ground. If isolation is likely, property owners should ensure that they have sufficient stocks of essential items including food, fuel and medicine.

People should not camp close to rivers and streams, and should consider whether in an emergency they may be cut off.

Strong winds and heavy rain may cause damage to homes from falling trees and branches or leaking roofs and overflowing gutters. Where safe to do and permitted by Council, it is recommended that overhanging trees and branches are removed, that roofing is in good repair, gutters and drains are clear of debris, and loose items in yards and on balconeys put away.

The SES urges people to never drive, ride or walk through floodwaters as water may be deeper or faster flowing than it looks and contain hidden snags and debris.

Further information on preparing your household or business for flooding can be found here.

In a life threatening emergency, call 000. For general assistance due to flooding or storm damage, call the SES on 132 500. For road closures, call your local council.