Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 12:31 pm EST on Tuesday 20 May 2025

Flood Watch Number: 5

MINOR TO MAJOR FLOODING OCCURRING IN THE PATERSON WILLIAMS, HUNTER AND PARTS OF MID NORTH COAST CATCHMENTS

MINOR TO MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE IN THE ORARA, BELLINGER, NAMBUCCA AND MACLEAY FROM LATE TUESDAY

MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE IN THE LAKE MACQUARIE AND COLO CATCHMENTS FROM THURSDAY

A coastal trough near the southern Mid North Coast slowly heads northwards, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall and resulting in minor to major flooding in the Paterson Williams, Hunter and parts of mid north coast catchments.

This trough is expected to bring further widespread moderate to heavy rainfall about central parts of the NSW coast in the next few days, which may cause further river level rises and minor to moderate flooding in the Orara, Bellinger, Nambucca, Macleay, Lake Macquarie and Colo catchments.

Catchments in the Flood Watch area are relatively wet.

The location and timing of the heaviest rainfall is uncertain. However, isolated major flooding, alongside localised river level rises, and flash flooding are likely within the areas of heaviest rainfall.

Flood Classes (minor, moderate, major) are only defined for catchments where the Bureau provides a flood warning service.

A severe weather warning is current for Mid North Coast and parts of Hunter, Northern Tablelands and North West Slopes and Plains Forecast Districts.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Orara Riverminor to moderate flooding

Bellinger and Kalang Riversminor to moderate flooding

Nambucca Riverminor to moderate flooding

Macleay Riverminor flooding

Newcastle Area

Lake Macquarieminor flooding

Colo Riverminor flooding

Flood warnings current in the following catchments: Hastings, Camden Haven, Manning and Gloucester, Myall, Wallis Lake, Paterson and Williams, Hunter and Wollombi Brook, Tuggerah Lake, Warrego and Darling,

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