Mid North Coast rivers on floodwatch

ABOVE: The Severe weather warning issued for the North Coast by the BOM at 12:26 this afternoon.

UPDATE, 2:45PM

UPDATE, 12:10PM: 

Motorists between Kempsey and the Queensland border are being advised to reduce their speed and take extra care driving in the wet conditions, as traffic diversions begin to take effect through the Coffs Harbour CBD.

There is currently water on the Pacific Highway at Diggers Beach Road and Bruce King Drive.

The Advocate reports Bray street traffic is currently being diverted to Taloumbi road, and police are monitoring the Highway's intersection with Marcia street, which may be closed if heavy rain continues.

LiveTraffic NSW reports a truck also broke down on the Highway 1.5km north of the Waterfall Way road turnoff at 10:30 - northbound traffic is being affected.

UPDATE, 11:58AM:

SES Mid North Coast incident controller Tony Day says predictions for the Macleay and Hastings River catchments indicate rain may be heavy enough to cause localised flooding in low-lying areas, as well as causing tributary creeks to break their banks.

 Farmers are advised to monitor the weather and be ready to move their livestock, pumps and other equipment away from rising waters
 Oyster Lease Operators are advised to monitor the river for possible rises and be ready to move equipment
 Rising river levels may result in the closure of low lying bridges at Toorooka, Bellbrook, Turners Flat, Temagog and Sherwood

11:06 AM: The BOM has issued a flood watch for the Nambucca, Macleay and Hastings Rivers, as a deepening pressure trough developing off the coast is expected to bring heavy local rains and flash flooding.

The forecaster issued the warning at 11, after earlier reporting Port Macquaire, Kempsey and Nambucca Heads were all likely to experience more than 100 millimetres of rainfall in the next 24 hours.

More rainfall expected Flood Watch Richmond-Wilsons Orara Coffs Coast Bellinger Nambucca Macleay Hastings https://t.co/Ss766eSCrL #NSWFlood pic.twitter.com/4yhjITfUki

— BOM New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) March 15, 2017

The BOM says the Nambucca and Hastings rivers are now being monitored for minor to moderate flooding, and the Macleay for minor flooding.

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.

Becky Gollings from the Clarence Nambucca SES unit is urging locals not to drive, ride or walk through any floodwaters and keep clear of creeks and storm drains.

"WE haven't seen any callouts there (The Nambucca) at the moment, but if residents int hose areas need our hep, they can cal us on 132 500," Ms Gollings said at 10:41 this morning.

"But if the situation's life threatening, they should dial triple 0."

This Flood Watch will be reviewed by 11 tomorrow.