Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 1:31 pm EDT on Friday 17 January 2025

Flood Watch Number: 3

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

A trough lies near the NSW coast with a low embedded offshore of the Mid-North Coast and Northern Rivers, 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 the low pressure system.

This weather system is expected to cause flooding in the Flood Watch area starting from Friday evening and 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 Riverminor flooding

Coffs Coast

Bellinger and Kalang Riversminor flooding

Hastings Riverminor flooding

Manning and Gloucester Riversmoderate flooding

Myall Riverminor flooding

Karuah River

Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter Riverminor flooding

Paterson and Williams Riversminor flooding

A moderate flood warning is current for the Manning River.

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