Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 1:10 pm EDT on Friday 7 March 2025

Flood Watch Number: 6

MAJOR RIVERINE FLOODING WITH SIGNIFICANT LOCALISED FLOODING POSSIBLE ALONG THE NORTHERN RIVERS AND MID NORTH COAST CATCHMENTS FROM LATER FRIDAY INTO THE WEEKEND

MINOR TO ISOLATED MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE FROM SUNDAY INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK FOR PARTS OF THE NORTH WEST AND CENTRAL WEST CATCHMENTS

MINOR TO MAJOR FLOOD WARNINGS CURRENT FOR THE NORTHERN RIVERS AND MID NORTH COAST

Rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred is likely to cause rapid and dangerous river rises and extensive moderate to major flooding along the NSW Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast from later Friday through to the weekend. Rainfall may extend inland during Sunday into early next week and may result in minor to major flooding in the North West and Central West Catchments from Sunday. There is a chance that the flood watch area may expand further over the coming days as certainty develops about the movement of the system into the new week.

The location of the heaviest rainfall and most severe flooding will depend on the track of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The recent slower movement of TC Alfred is likely to delay the onset of the heaviest rainfall, with heavy and locally intense rainfall forecast to increase Friday night and into the weekend over Northern NSW. The heaviest rainfall will be south of the Tropical Cyclone track.

Minor to major flood warnings are current for a widespread area along the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast.

Catchments in the Northern Rivers are wet. Catchments in the North West and Central West are relatively dry.

A Flood Watch is current in Queensland for the Macintyre River.

Dangerous flash flooding is expected. High tides and large waves are expected to increase the flood risk and impacts in low lying coastal areas. Areas at risk will continue to be revised during the coming days.

Flood Classes (minor, moderate, major) are only defined for catchments where the Bureau provides a flood warning service.

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Clarence River
moderate to major flooding

Coffs Coast

Macleay River
moderate to major flooding

Manning and Gloucester Rivers
minor flooding

Upper Macintyre River
minor to major flooding

Gwydir River
minor to moderate flooding

Macintyre River

Peel River
minor to moderate flooding

Namoi River
minor to moderate flooding

Castlereagh River
minor flooding

Flood warnings are current for the Tweed, Brunswick, Wilsons, Richmond, Orara, Bellinger, Kalang, Nambucca, Hastings and Camden Haven Rivers.

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

For the latest rainfall and weather forecasts see www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/

For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood
Flood Safety Advice:

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.

Severe Weather Warnings will be issued or updated if very heavy rain is forecast or observed.

For more information on the Flood Watch Service: http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

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

Rainfall and River Conditions Map