Residents on the Mid North Coast and northern NSW remain on alert as a low pressure system off the east coast intensifies, bringing heavy rain, possible flash flooding and damaging winds.
A flood watch remains current for the Orara, Bellinger, Kalang, Nambucca, Hastings, Manning, Paterson and Williams Rivers, with minor flooding possible in those catchments.
Olenka Duma from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said the Mid North Coast had received an average of 30-45mm overnight, with the highest falls at Carey's Peak in the Barrington Tops, which received 67mm.
Ms Duma said the rain was expected to intensify with moderate falls throughout Saturday and into Sunday morning.
"We are expecting to see the rain persist throughout today, with anywhere up to 70mm expected," she said.
"We could see even locally higher falls of close to 100mm, if not more than 100mm, as this low pressure system, which is still developing, makes its way south-eastward."
Strong southerly winds of around 50-60kph are expected on Saturday night from Crowdy Head to Cape Byron, with damaging wind gusts of around 100kph possible along the coast, including in Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Ballina.
Damaging winds may also push inland toward the Dorrigo Plateau, and people are being warned to watch for falling trees and power lines.
A hazardous surf warning is also current for northern NSW, and the BOM said a severe weather warning may be issued later on Saturday, with waves exceeding heights of 5 metres.
"The low pressure system is expected to move away fairly quickly, so by tomorrow it will be situated right over the Tasman Sea with the impacts expected to ease by late Sunday or early Monday," Ms Duma said.
Emergency services on alert
Local State Emergency Service (SES) crews are on stand-by, with extra resources called in to assist.
SES media officer Scott McLennan said there had been more than 70 calls for assistance since Friday, mostly involving blocked gutters and fallen trees.
"There's a bit of flash flooding occurring in Grafton where there's a couple of low culverts and some streets [were] closed this morning," he said.
"There's likely [to be] more flash flooding for the Mid North Coast in areas that are prone to flash flooding."
Mr McLennan said the SES was closely monitoring the Orara River at Coutts Crossing due to a road works diversion that leads onto the flood plain.
"We're working with residents of Nymboida and Coutts Crossing to ensure they're aware there is rain coming and the river may rise," he said.
"We are expecting between Taree and Coffs Harbour to get some isolated falls anywhere up to 200mm over the next 24 hours and that will lead to flash flooding."
Father's Day warning
People planning to travel for Father's Day are being urged to reconsider travel or plan their routes carefully.
"We get that this weekend is Father's Day and there are a lot of plans in place ... but we advise that everyone take a moment today to revise their storm preparations, revise their route and make decisions about whether they need to travel over the next couple of days," Mr McLennan said.
"With strong winds along the coast it will start pushing trees over or knocking branches down so we just need people to be mindful that the routes they've chosen to drive, if they have to drive, may need to be changed."
Mr McLennan is also urging people to ensure their gutters are clean and loose items in front yards and balconies are secured.
"People should be preparing their properties, having a look at gutters ... think about whether there's anything loose, dead trees, dead branches ... and address those while you've got time and got the chance because it's going to be a wet couple of months ahead."
