Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 10:57 am Thursday, 22 May 2025.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL CONTINUING ABOUT THE MID NORTH COAST. HEAVY FALLS DEVELOPING ABOUT THE SOUTHERN HUNTER, BLUE MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS TONIGHT.

Weather Situation: A coastal trough is situated in the vicinity of Coffs Harbour this morning and is expected to drift steadily south today. A persistent and very moist onshore flow to the south of the trough continues to cause widespread areas of rain across the Mid North Coast, with heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms. Conditions across the Mid North Coast are expected to ease by Thursday night, with the focus of the rainfall shifting to parts of the Southern Highlands, Blue Mountains and southern Hunter.

For the MID NORTH COAST and adjacent NORTHERN TABLELANDS AND HUNTER: Moderate rainfall with isolated areas of HEAVY RAINFALL leading to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to continue until late tonight. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 and 100 mm and 12-hourly totals between 90 and 120 mm are likely.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible for parts of the Mid North Coast between Kempsey and Dorrigo, mainly about elevated areas. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 and 150 mm are possible with 12-hourly totals reaching between 150 and 200 mm.

HEAVY RAINFALL is expected to ease about the Mid North Coast by midnight.

For parts of the SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS, BLUE MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHERN HUNTER: Moderate rainfall during today is expected to increase overnight, with areas of HEAVY RAINFALL leading to FLASH FLOODING possible from early Friday morning until Friday evening. Six-hourly rainfall totals of 60 to 90 mm are possible with 24-hourly totals between 80 and 130 mm.

A Flood Watch and various Flood Warnings are current for multiple catchments. Please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/.

Locations which may be affected include Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree, Katoomba, Sawtell and Dorrigo.

Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Northern Rivers and North West Slopes and Plains districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.

Significant rainfall observations in the 24 hours to 9:00 am Thursday morning include:

336 mm at Bellingen

323 mm at Moparrabah

242 mm at Englands Road (Coffs Harbour)

240 mm at Kooroowi

200 mm at Woolgoolga Dam

169 mm at Kempsey Airport

160 mm at Belleview Park (Dorrigo)

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.