THE Mid North Coast is on alert as a trough over north-eastern New South Wales continues to deepen.
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Extremely heavy rain, with thunderstorms, is likely to cause flash flooding in northern parts of the Mid North Coast including Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Nambucca Heads and Bellingen.
The Hastings and Macleay Rivers are now on flood watch.
The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted 24 hour total rainfalls in excess of 100 millimetres likely, with much higher rainfall with thunderstorms.
The trough is currently moving south.
The wet weather is being generated by a low pressure system and associated trough which has developed over the northern inland of New South Wales. Very unstable conditions to the east of the low mean that widespread thunderstorms with heavy localised falls are expected develop over the course of Wednesday and continue through until Friday.
Currently, the heaviest rain is located on radar near Goonengerry in Northern Rivers, to the southwest of Mullumbimby, which has reported 156mm in three hours on Wednesday, March 15.
NSW SES Mid North Coast Region Controller Tony Day said there is the possibility that northern parts of the Mid North Coast will see cumulative rainfall totals of over 200mm by the end of this week.
“At this stage we are not expecting any significant riverine flooding however we are encouraging residents that live close to rivers and creeks to closely monitor weather warnings, to prepare now and to be ready to act early should conditions deteriorate,” he said.
“We have placed a number of volunteer NSW SES crews on standby should the residents require emergency storm and flood assistance. In the past we have received great cooperation from the community in terms of people not driving through flood waters.
“We are again looking for this community assistance and for drivers to choose an alternative route should they encounter flooded roads or causeways and thereby avoid situations that pose a risk to their safety and the safety of volunteer SES flood rescue technicians, if it’s flooded forget it.”
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.
For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.