TWO weeks after the storms and floods that led to 450 requests for assistance to the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) on the Mid North Coast, the NSW SES is again warning residents to prepare for heavy rain, strong winds and possible riverine and flash flooding that could affect the region over the weekend and into Monday.
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A low pressure system is expected to develop over southern Queensland or northern inland NSW during Saturday afternoon and Sunday. This low will then move south east and intensify into an East Coast Low as it crosses the central or southern part of the NSW coast.
As this system moves south to the Mid North Coast there is potential for widespread rainfall totals of 30ml to 80ml, with the possibility of heavier localised falls of 100 to 150ml from late Saturday through to Monday.
The predicted weekend rain combined with the already sodden catchment is likely to see the Bureau of Meteorology issue a Flood Watch for the Macleay and Hastings catchments for minor to moderate flooding sometime on Friday.
NSW SES Mid North Coast Region is urging residents to monitor weather and flood warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology and to exercise caution should the severe conditions eventuate.
People can reduce risks to personal safety and property damage by staying clear of creeks and stormwater drains, not driving through floodwater and by moving cars under cover and away from trees.
“Although the worst of this weather system is expected to impact to the south of the Mid North Coast, we are still facing considerable risks to community safety and property damage should we have moderate flooding in our area of operations,” acting NSW SES Mid North Coast Region Controller, Tony Day said.
“During the last event there was only one flood rescue on the Mid North Coast and we are asking the community to again help local NSW SES volunteers by not driving into flood water.
“These East Coast Lows are notoriously unpredictable, so we are asking the community to prepare properties now for the predicted weekend weather and be ready to act early should conditions deteriorate.”
Information on how residents can prepare for severe weather can be obtained by visiting the NSW SES website www.ses.nsw.gov.au . For emergency assistance in storms and floods call the NSW SES on 132-500 and in life threating situations call triple zero.
