Wild Weather Set for the Coffs Coast

While the skies across the Coffs Coast are blue, and the sun is shining, it’s not expected to last long.

Tuesday saw parts of the Coffs Coast reaching temperatures as high as 33 degrees, with expected tops around 29 today.

The Bureau of Meteorology has released a Severe Weather Warning for our region off the back of the North Queensland Cyclone Debbie for Thursday and Friday.

The warning is for heavy rainfall over northeastern NSW, as a cold front approaches from the southwest and interacts with the humid airmass.

BOM say the heavy falls “may lead to flash flooding”.

In the next 24 hour totals are expected to be in excess of 100mm over the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast during Thursday, and it is likely that some locations will exceed more than 200 mm.

Locations which may be affected with heavy rainfall include Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Lismore, Tenterfield, Yamba, Glen Innes and Inverell.

Locations which may be affected by damaging winds include Port Macquarie and Kempsey.

See the latest details below:

IDN20032

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology New South Wales

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING for HEAVY RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS

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

Issued at 9:57 am Wednesday, 29 March 2017.

HEAVY RAIN IN THE NORTHEAST DURING THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.

DAMAGING WINDS ALONG THE COASTAL FRINGE NORTH OF SYDNEY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.

SYNOPTIC SITUATION:

A low pressure system over central-eastern Queensland and a high pressure system over the Tasman Sea are dragging a humid tropical air mass over parts of NSW.

Heavy rainfall over northeastern NSW is likely during Thursday and Friday as a cold front approaches from the southwest and interacts with this humid airmass.

HEAVY RAIN which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is expected over northern parts of the coast during Thursday and Friday. HEAVY RAIN which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is also possible over northern slopes and ranges on Thursday.

24 hour totals in excess of 100 mm are expected over the Northern Rivers district during Thursday, and it is likely that some locations will exceed more than 200 mm. 24 hour totals exceeding 100 mm during Thursday are also possible over parts of the northern ranges and slopes, and parts of the Mid North Coast.

DAMAGING WINDS averaging 65km/h with gusts in excess of 90km/h are possible along the coastal fringe north of about Sydney from Thursday afternoon, extending northwards during Thursday night and Friday.

Locations which may be affected with heavy rainfall include Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Tenterfield, Yamba, Glen Innes and Inverell.

Locations which may be affected by damaging winds include coastal parts of Sydney, Gosford, Newcastle, Taree, Port Macquarie and Kempsey.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

  * Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.

  * Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.

  * Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.

  * Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid on 131 388, or Endeavour Energy on 131 003 or Essential Energy on 132 080, as shown on your power bill.

  * 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.

  * For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.