Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Initial Flood Watch for parts of the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter and Central Coast

Issued at 2:39 pm EDT on Wednesday 15 January 2025

Flood Watch Number: 1

ISOLATED MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE IN THE NORTHERN RIVERS, MID NORTH COAST, HUNTER AND CENTRAL COAST FROM THURSDAY EVENING

A strong cold front and its associated trough are forecast to cross the state today, moving offshore early Thursday morning. Following the passage of the trough, a low pressure system is expected to develop offshore along the central coast, resulting in increased rainfall about parts of the Hunter, Mid North Coast and Northern rivers.

Catchments in the flood watch are moderately wet.

The Flood Watch area affected by rainfall, as well as rainfall totals, will be highly sensitive to the position and strength of any developing low pressure system.

This weather system is expected to cause flooding in the Flood Watch areas starting from Thursday evening into the weekend. The Bureau is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updated advice as required. Catchment specific warnings will be issued if and when required.

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Orara River
minor flooding

Coffs Coast

Bellinger and Kalang Rivers
minor flooding

Manning and Gloucester Rivers
minor flooding

Myall River
minor flooding

Karuah River

Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter River
minor flooding

Paterson and Williams Rivers
minor flooding

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/

For the latest rainfall and weather forecasts see www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/

For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood
Flood Safety Advice:

This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and streams must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop.

Flood Warnings will be issued if Minor Flood Level is expected to be exceeded at key sites along the main rivers for which the Bureau of Meteorology provides a flood warning service.

Severe Weather Warnings will be issued or updated if very heavy rain is forecast or observed.

For more information on the Flood Watch Service: http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

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

For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500

For life threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately

Rainfall and River Conditions Map