Kempsey has received 141mm of rain in the 24 hour period to 9am this morning (Saturday).

Note the Flood Watch is a "heads up" for possible future flooding and is not a Flood Warning.

A strong slow moving high pressure system over the Tasman Sea is directing moist winds into a low pressure trough over northeastern New South Wales bringing rain, showers and isolated thunderstorms to the NSW mid north coast.

Local flooding and possible minor main river flooding could occur in the following catchments:

1. Lower Macleay River valley

2. Hastings River Valley

Flood Warnings are current for the Bellinger, Nambucca and Orara Rivers.

A Severe Weather Warning for possible flash flooding is also current for the broader mid north coast area.

This 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.

Flood Warnings will be issued if Minor Flood Level is expected to be exceeded at key sites along the main rivers for which the Bureau of Meteorology provides a flood warning service.

Across NSW, about 70 per cent of Flood Watches are followed by flooding.

Look at flood photos of Kempsey and surrounding areas by going to:

http://www.macleayargus.com .au/slideshowplayer.aspx?id=9514 or by clicking on the multimedia section.

FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.nsw.gov.au

For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500.

For life threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

For the latest weather forecast see www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw

For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/nsw