Flood warning as east coast smashed by rain – with much more to come
Overnight storms have dumped rain on mid-north and northern NSW, with some North Coast residents being told to evacuate as the risk of flash flooding increases in the state and in parts of Queensland.
Almost 100mm of rain fell on the mid-north coast on Thursday while even greater totals hit the region from 9am on Friday. Bowraville was the hardest-hit area, receiving 195mm.
Flooding of rivers in the region is also likely from Saturday, with the Bellingen and Kalang Rivers already reporting minor to major flooding.
The Bureau of Meteorology's Alex Majchrowski said the regions would cop more rainfall on Saturday and remain at risk of flooding.
The coastal trough driving the weather will enter southeast Queensland on Saturday night before strengthening and returning to NSW on Monday, bringing strong winds and dangerous sea conditions.
"Unfortunately it's forecast to continue for the remainder of today before starting to ease off tomorrow," Mr Majchrowski told AAP on Saturday.
"For today we're forecasting up to 100-150mm in some parts of the mid-north coast and northern rivers before that rainfall starts to (move) further north."
'A step beyond': Australian suburb singled out over 'unprecedented' weather
Australia set for wettest summer in decade despite hot November
NSW State Emergency Service duty commander Dean Storey urged communities to stay vigilant as a flood watch alerts remains in place for the Mid North Coast and Northern River catchments.
“Sunday afternoon evening into Monday at this point in time is probably the chief concern when it comes to the high tides and potentially large swell on the north-east coast of the state,” he said.
“It's a dynamic event at the moment when it comes to the amount of rain and the slow that will be moving down the coast later this weekend. It's going to be a few days ahead of us of the need for extra vigilance and heeding the advice and warnings that may come,” Mr Storey told the ABC Saturday morning.
An evacuation warning was issued for residents in the coast village of Sawtell near Coffs Harbour with SES volunteers door knocking to ensure residents were aware of the potential need for an evacuation order.
“We are keeping a very close eye on that with the bureau and getting the expert advice and we urge the community to stay across the local risks and the local river and rainfall tallies and heed that advice,” Mr Storey said.
Still a lot of uncertainty regarding the heavy rain about to hit eastern Australia. Here's the next week's rain according to three different models. Expect forecasts to jump around from day-to-day as new model data becomes available. pic.twitter.com/Lw5XCY0URd
— Ben Domensino (@Ben_Domensino) December 11, 2020
BOM maps show the area at greatest risk of severe weather conditions stretches from north of Kempsey to Evans Head. This takes in Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca Heads and Grafton.
The NSW State Emergency Service has sent extra volunteers, including flood rescue technicians, to the area to cope with requests for help.
"We're expecting we will see a lot of people in orange uniforms out and about helping the communities in which they live," SES Chief Superintendent Greg Swindells told reporters on Friday.
with AAP
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
