IT IS blowing like the billy o across the Nambucca Valley this morning as an East Coast Low super storm is tipped to form to the north and move down the entire NSW East Coast.
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Severe weather has already started impacting, with tree branches down, steady rain, and strong winds.
The V-Wall at Nambucca Heads and the lookout above were all but deserted bar a few curious storm chasers.
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is warning residents on the Mid North Coast to prepare for heavy rain, strong winds, damaging seas and king tides.
A low pressure trough and East Coast Low will impact on many parts of the State late on Saturday, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and damaging surf.
At this stage there is potential for widespread rainfall totals of 80mm to 150mm, with the possibility of heavier localised falls of 200mm to 300mm over the course of Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
As a result the Bureau of Meteorology has issued Flood Watch alerts for the Nambucca and Bellinger rivers, and other systems across the coast.
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.
Acting NSW SES Mid North Coast Region Controller, Tony Day said, “we are particularly concerned about the king tides on the Sunday and Monday nights and the possibility of flash flooding and inundation of low lying coastal areas.”
“Although it has been very dry recently the potential rainfall totals coupled with high tides and large swell over the weekend means there is a risk of flash flooding and a real possibility of riverine flooding. We are asking the community not to drive into flooded roads, bridges or causeways, stay away from flooded drains, creeks and rivers and prepare your properties now.”
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.
