Kempsey and surrounding areas are expected to receive significant rain, with a 90 per cent chance of between 40mm and 80mm today and an 90 per cent chance of between 20mm and 40mm on Friday before continuing throughout the first half of next week, according to Weatherzone.

Heavy rain is forecast for the Macleay on Thursday and Friday.

"The Mid North Coast and Kempsey area will experience significant rain over the next week," Weatherzone meteorologist Sam Brown said.

"The area is expected to see around 200mm of rain while some isolated areas could receive more."

The heavy rain is expected to cause minor flooding in the Macleay River, with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issuing a flood watch for rivers from the Tweed to the Hastings.

The BOM have also issued a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and flash flooding for parts of the Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers and eastern parts of the Northern Tablelands from Thursday.

The heaviest rainfall is expected to be in the Northern Rivers on Thursday and will reach the Mid North Coast on Friday.

Showers are also predicted for the Macleay throughout next week with 40mm to 80mm predicted for Sunday and Monday.

It's set to be a wet few days and residents are urged to monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings.

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/

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

For emergency assistance call the SES on 132 500

For life threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.