The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting potentially 'life threatening' rain and damaging winds across NSW's Mid North Coast today, with the weather system expected to continue moving south across the weekend.
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On Thursday, March 18, more than 200 millimetres of rain had already fallen at Seven Oaks near Kempsey on the state's North Coast in the six hours to 4pm.
While 157mm was recorded at Aldavilla, and 131.8mm at Kempsey.
There are flood warnings out for mid-north coast, Hunter, Central Coast, Sydney metro and Illawarra coast and far west areas.
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The biggest risk is on the mid-north coast where the Orara, Bellinger and Hastings rivers are being closely watched ahead of expected minor to moderate flooding.
The Georges, Nepean and Hawkesbury rivers in the Sydney region are also expected to be affected.
Minor flooding possible in Manning and Gloucester Rivers
The SES has warned minor flooding is expected at Gloucester and Wingham Friday morning and Taree in the middle of the day, with heavy rainfall observed across parts of the Manning and Gloucester river catchment.
Further river level rises to the moderate flood level are possible at Gloucester, Wingham and Taree overnight Friday into Saturday morning.
Flash flooding, damaging winds predicted in lower Hunter
The State Emergency Service has advised minor flooding is expected along the Williams River at Dungog today
For all the road closures and river updates, follow the Maitland Mercury's rolling coverage here.
Deepening trough expected to intensify over NSW Mid North Coast
Power is out across many parts of Port Macquarie-Hastings, there are extensive road closures and the rain keeps coming.
Schools have sent children home, businesses have closed for the day and motorists are being urged to stay off the roads.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned the current intense rain cell over the region is set to intensify at around 2pm today (March 19).
Big wet washes out Ben Folds winery show
Hazardous weather conditions have forced organisers to postpone Ben Folds' outdoor concert at Bimbadgen in the Hunter Valley on Saturday.
The American piano maestro was due to launch A Day On The Green's new Cellar Door Series at the Pokolbin winery, with support from Australian indie-folk artist Gordi.
Flood watch issued for Hawkesbury, SES says to prepare
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a Flood Watch for Mid North Coast, Hunter and parts of Sydney - including Hawkesbury - on Thursday afternoon and Hawkesbury SES has asked residents to prepare for floods this weekend.
A 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.
Kim Chappell
As Senior Producer - Digital for ACM's regional titles I assist newsrooms in digital best practice. Before this role, I was the digital journalist with ACM's national team and prior to that, the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division. I started as a general rounds journalist with The Land in 2006, moving up to hold the title of chief of staff before switching to digital reporting in 2015.
As Senior Producer - Digital for ACM's regional titles I assist newsrooms in digital best practice. Before this role, I was the digital journalist with ACM's national team and prior to that, the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division. I started as a general rounds journalist with The Land in 2006, moving up to hold the title of chief of staff before switching to digital reporting in 2015.
