Risk of flash flooding on NSW north coast

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast more than 100mm of rain for parts of NSW and is warning of potential flash flooding on Saturday.

Flooding

File image. Source: AAP

Heavy rain is expected to persist throughout the NSW mid north coast and in parts of the Northern Rivers region overnight but forecasters say conditions should ease on Sunday.

The state has endured a drenching with Saturday's rainfall potentially exceeding 250mm in some parts of the Northern Rivers, mid north coast, Hunter and Northern Tablelands areas, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Forecasters on Saturday evening issued another warning for damaging winds and potential flash flooding, saying Yamba, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree, Sawtell and Dorrigo were all in the firing line.

A warning was also issued for the Colo River area in the Central Tablelands, with the SES saying the river at Putty Road was likely to reach a minor flood level of 2.7m early Sunday morning.

Flooding could affect local roads, nearby caravan parks and low-lying farmland, it said.

Conditions on Sunday are expected to ease as the low-pressure system weakens, according to BOM. However localised heavy rainfall is still possible along the north coast.

The SES on Saturday afternoon had received more than 550 calls for help since 5am and responded to at least 2750 requests since the soggy weather began earlier this week.

There have also been more than 70 flood rescues, most on the mid north coast and in the Hunter, SES spokesman Brent Hunter told AAP.

He said many rescues involved people driving in floodwaters and in one instance, the SES had to call police to stop people entering Audley Weir in the Royal National Park south of Sydney.

"We have had people disregarding the warning signs and walking across the weir, which obviously is idiotic in itself," Mr Hunter said.

"It's a quick way to end your life."


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Source: AAP


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