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WITH heavy rain on the way, residents on the Mid North Coast are being urged to prepare for possible flash flooding.
FRIDAY
Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia is approaching the central Queensland coast. A trough associated with the cyclone is deepening over north-eastern parts of NSW.
Heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding is fore cast for the Northern Rivers forecast district, northern parts of the Mid-North Coast district and eastern parts of the Northern Tablelands district today
The Bureau of Meteorology says widespread falls of 100 to 150mm are likely on Friday with local falls as high as 300mm possible. Further heavy rain is likely on Saturday dependent on the movement of the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Marcia.
A flood watch is current for the NSW coastal streams from the Queensland border to the Nambucca Valley for Friday and Saturday. This includes the Tweed, Brunswick, Richmond and Wilsons, Clarence and Orara, Bellinger and Nambucca river systems.
84mm of rain has fallen at Numinbah and 74 mm at Couchy Creek, both near the Queensland border, between 9am Thursday and 4am Friday.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- 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.
"There's a tropical low up near Queensland which is feeding moisture into it," Weatherzone meteorologist Anthony Duke said.
"There is a bit of uncertainty around the whole system, but in terms of rainfall Thursday and Friday are looking to be the worst."
Flood watch warnings
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued flood watch warning for six areas on the NSW north coast.
At this stage there is a greater than 70% chance of moderate flooding in the following river valleys from Friday onwards. Those areas are:
- Nambucca Valley
- Bellinger Valley
- Clarence Valley including the Orara River
- Richmond and Wilsons Valleys
- Brunswick Valley - including Billinudgel
- Tweed Valley - including local flash flooding is areas such as Chillingham
Heavy falls are expected over the NSW north coast area on Friday and Saturday. There is some uncertainty over the forecast rain totals for this event as it depends upon the eventual severity of a tropical low that is currently located over the Coral Sea.
In addition, king high tides will add to the risk of flooding in the lower tidal reaches of these rivers.
A flood watch is a "heads up" for possible future flooding along all rivers and creeks within a nominated valley and is NOT a flood warning.
