News

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning for heavy rain and damaging winds and a Flood Watch for minor to major flooding for rivers in the state’s north east.

The NSW SES is readying for the severe weather through the pre-deployment of skilled members and essential equipment to areas likely to be hit by the flooding and damaging winds. In addition, the SES is working with communities in potentially affected areas to ensure that they are aware of the threat of possible flooding and damaging winds, and of how to prepare.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, a cold front moving through NSW during Thursday will interact with moisture from Tropical Cyclone Debbie, leading to widespread rain over the state's east. Particularly heavy rain is expected in parts of the northeast on Thursday, likely continuing into Friday as a low pressure trough deepens near the Queensland border.

This weather system has the potential to cause river flooding as well as local flash flooding to develop along the following river valleys from Thursday onwards:

1. Tweed Valley - moderate to major flooding

2. Brunswick Valley - moderate to major flooding

3. Richmond-Wilsons Valley - moderate to major flooding

4. Clarence Valley (including Orara) - minor to moderate flooding 

5. Bellinger Valley - minor flooding

Upper Macintyre Valley - minor to moderate flooding

Flash flooding is expected over northern parts of the coast during Thursday and Friday and is also possible over northern slopes and ranges on Thursday.

The Bureau of Meteorology have advised that 24 hour totals in excess of 100 mm are expected over the Northern Rivers district during Thursday, and it is likely that some locations will exceed more than 200 mm. 24 hour totals exceeding 100 mm during Thursday are also possible over parts of the northern ranges and slopes, and parts of the Mid North Coast.

Damaging winds averaging 65km/h with gusts in excess of 90km/h are possible along the coastal fringe north of about Sydney from Thursday afternoon, extending northwards during Thursday night and Friday.

Locations which may be affected with heavy rainfall include Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Tenterfield, Yamba, Glen Innes and Inverell.

Locations which may be affected by damaging winds include coastal parts of Sydney, Gosford, Newcastle, Taree, Port Macquarie and Kempsey.

The NSW SES urges people living and working along these rivers and their tributaries to lift pumps and to relocate livestock and equipment to higher ground. If isolation is likely stock up on food, fuel, medicine and other essential supplies. Do not forget working animals, pets and livestock. Campers should relocate to higher ground with an exit that will not get flooded.

In areas affected by damaging winds secure or put away loose items and check that your roof is in good repair. Also clean gutters and downpipes to reduce the chance of water ingress during heavy rain.

FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.nsw.gov.au

For the latest weather forecast see www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/