Flash flooding expected on coast

COFFS Coast is on flood watch.

Heavy downpours throughout yesterday led to a warning of flash flooding from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Forecasters say a deep trough lying off the north coast will intensify into a low-pressure system, dumping more heavy rain over the next 48 hours.

The system, which is swelling rivers, creeks and drains on the Coffs Coast, has led to a 70 per cent chance of flooding along the Orara, Bellingen, Nambucca and Clarence Rivers and Coffs Creek before Saturday.

Coffs Harbour bureau weather observer Roger Brown said flash flooding is expected once the weather system reaches its full potential.

“It is one of these coastal lows that forms off our area bringing strong south-easterly winds and heavy rains,” Mr Brown said.

“It is similar to the low that brought flooding to the south coast earlier this week and flash floods are expected between Yamba and Taree through until Saturday,” he said.

Coffs Harbour yesterday received 4mm of rain between 6am and 9am, while a further 15mm fell up until 3pm.

The heaviest falls came last night and downpours are set to continue today with predictions 200mm could fall for the week.

In the event of flooding the SES can be reached on 132 500.