Australia Weather News

Heavy rain continues to cause widespread flooding across parts of the New South Wales Hunter Valley and Mid North Coast, which has led to numerous evacuations and rescues.

The Bureau of Meteorology says a coastal trough is slowly tracking north and that intense rainfall is expected throughout today and tomorrow.

The BOM also recorded 270mm in parts of the Upper Hunter region.

Residents in low-lying areas of Taree and Dumaresq Island were told to evacuate before 5pm Tuesday, with the Manning River above its moderate flood level.

The community of Coopernook further upstream had also been told to evacuate by 5pm Tuesday, with nearby Croki and Moto told to seek shelter. 

An evacuation order was issued for low-lying areas further upstream at Wingham earlier on Tuesday, with the SES warning the Manning River could exceed the major level by late on Tuesday afternoon. 

There are now eight emergency warnings in place. 

Evacuation orders for Gloucester and Ferndale Caravan Parks and low-lying parts of Dungog, Bulahdelah and Paterson remain in place.

There are also 18 Watch and Act warnings across the state. 

BOM hazards manager Steve Bernasconi said major flooding was being recorded in parts of the Gloucester, Williams and Paterson rivers. 

 "This is a multi-day weather event that has turned into a multi-day flood event," he said.

"It will be focused on the Hunter and Mid North Coast today and tomorrow, with the potential for rainfall to still persist along the coast into the end of the week and weekend."

NSW SES northern zone commander Andrew Cribb said the SES had done "too many" avoidable flood rescues already.

He said water had risen throughout the Hunter above previous flood levels.

"[There are] many new residents to the area who might not have experienced the isolation that may occur from these events," he said.

Overnight evacuations

Dozens of residents across parts of the New South Wales Hunter region were forced out of their homes overnight after evacuation orders were issued due to fears of major flooding.

The SES issued an emergency warning for residents in some streets in the communities of Dungog and Paterson, urging them to evacuate by 11:30pm.

According to the BOM 106mm of rain has fallen at Elands in the past 24 hours to 9am this morning.

Ellenborough Falls, at Elands in the Port Macquarie hinterland, has had a large flow. It is the tallest single-drop waterfall in New South Wales.

SES crews and police doorknocked the area and told residents they could get trapped if they did not leave.

Several residents of the Ferndale caravan park, near Barrington Tops, were also told to leave immediately.

SES Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said authorities preferred not to evacuate people at night but decided it was the safest option.

"The rivers responded far quicker than what was forecast to happen … and we reached the triggers and that made it necessary for us to provide that evacuation advice through the evening," he said.

"Definitely not ideal, but we like to get that done as soon as we reach the triggers."

Major flood warnings

Major flood warnings are in place for the Paterson, Williams, Manning, Gloucester, Upper Hunter, Goulburn and Lower Hunter rivers and Wollumbi Brook.

Major flooding is possible at Gloucester, Taree, Gostwyck, Dungog and Mill Dams from this morning, and at Taree and Wingham later today.

SES Deputy Commander Sonya Oyston said more warnings would be issued today.

"We know that floods move fast," she said.

"Residents in high-risk areas should stay across the latest warnings and take action early."

Big swell, erosion fears

Residents of the Mid North Coast were told by the SES late yesterday to "stay indoors" as the weather system began to have an impact.

The region was hit by severe flooding in 2021, and Wauchope SES Deputy Unit Commander Amanda Romans-Ekendal said many long-term locals feared a repeat.

"A lot of the members of our community have communicated their concern about the weather sitting over us, but our job here is just to reassure and make everything safe and that's what we're trying to do," she said.

Deputy Commander Romans-Ekendal said many locals had learned from 2021 to prepare early.

"A lot of people headed here before the start of the rain to get sandbags early and be as prepared as possible," she said.

The SES has warned of hazardous surf with waves of up to five metres expected, which brings the threat of erosion.

"Coastal erosion can happen rapidly, causing damage to properties and infrastructure," Deputy Commander Oyston said.

"Please stay well clear of exposed beaches."

Across the state, more than 4,000 homes were without power on Tuesday afternoon. 

Police Minister Yasmin Catley said about 400 homes in the Newcastle area had been affected. 

"Essential Emergency and Ausgrid are working hard to restore those connections," she said.