Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Mid North Coast and parts of Hunter, Northern Tablelands and North West Slopes and Plains Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:55 am Tuesday, 20 May 2025.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL CONTINUING ABOUT THE MID NORTH COAST

Weather Situation: A coastal trough is currently positioned about the central Mid North Coast, and is expected to track slowly northwards today. Heavy, locally intense rainfall is expected to persist on the southern side of the trough throughout today and into Wednesday. Winds have eased below warning thresholds.

Prolonged moderate rainfall with isolated areas of HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to continue for parts of the Mid North Coast, northern Hunter and adjacent parts of the North West Slopes & Plains and Northern Tablelands districts. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 120 mm are likely. Moderate to HEAVY RAINFALL is forecast to gradually shift further north through the Mid North Coast during Tuesday, possibly continuing into Wednesday.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible during Tuesday and early Wednesday morning with persistent heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms north of Wingham and south of Bellingen. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 and 140 mm are possible. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 150 and 180 mm are possible.

Winds about coastal localities have eased below warning thresholds.

A Flood Watch and various Flood Warnings are current for multiple catchments. A separate warning for DAMAGING SURF is also current for the Hunter and Mid North Coast. Please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/.

Locations which may be affected include Port Macquarie, Taree, Kempsey, Dorrigo, Wingham and Yarrowitch.

190 MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT TAREE AIRPORT IN THE 6 HOURS TO 3:34 AM.

77 mm of rainfall was recorded at Cooplacurripa in the 6 hours to 9:43 am.

124 mm of rainfall was recorded at Mooral Creek in the 6 hours to 9:38 am.

102 mm of rainfall was recorded at Killabakh in the 6 hours to 8:14 am.

101.8 mm of rainfall was recorded at Rocks Crossing in the 6 hours to 5:52 am.

101 mm of rainfall was recorded at Mount Barrington in the 6 hours to 1:30am.

70 km/h sustained winds and a 90 km/h wind gust were recorded at Norah Head around 9:30 pm Monday.

68 km/h sustained winds were recorded at Nobby's Signal Station around 8:30 pm Monday.

124.2 mm of rainfall was recorded at Port Macquarie Airport in the 6 hours to 3:52pm Monday.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.