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Heavy rain and flood warnings have been issued for eastern Australia as experts warn half a metre of rain could fall in just four days.
Southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales are both in for a wet weekend with a month’s worth of rain tipped to fall by Sunday.
Storms have already dumped more than 200mm of rain on some areas with parts of the both states on flood watch.
An evacuation order has been issued for residents living in the vicinity of 59-69 Boronia Street at Sawtell, near Coffs Harbour on the NSW mid-north coast.
Almost 150mm has fallen in less than 24 hours as SES volunteers and NSW Police doorknock the residents to self-evacuate to higher ground.
Heavy rain and flood warnings have been issued for eastern Australia as experts warn half a metre could fall in just four days
Southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales are both in for a wet weekend with a months worth of rain tipped to fall by Sunday. Pictured: Flooded cars in Brisbane
The local surf life saving club has been open and is currently being used as an evacuation point.
Bowraville was the hardest hit overnight recording 203mm in the 24 hours to 9am Saturday morning.
‘It’s not quite a record but it’s the heaviest rain since February,’ Bureau of Meteorology Duty Forecaster Jonathon How told Daily Mail Australia.
Coffs Harbour also copped a drenching overnight, recording 151mm of rain by Saturday morning.
Mr How predicts there is still plenty of rain to come, with some areas expecting at least half a metre of water by Tuesday prompting major flood warnings.
‘There are moderate to major flood warnings for the Bellinger River and definitely concern for flooding in Coffs Harbour,’ he said.
There is also possibility for minor flooding across south-east Queensland, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Byron Bay.
Storms have already dumped more than 200mm of rain on some areas with parts of the states on flood watch
There is also possibility for minor flooding across south-east Queensland, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Byron Bay
A severe weather warning for damaging winds, abnormally high tides and dangerous surf is in place from Fraser Island to the NSW border.
A strong wind warning has been issued for mariners from Mackay to the Gold Coast, with gales of up to 40 knots possible.
Damaging winds with gusts up to 90km/h are also possible.
The coastal trough driving the weather will enter southeast Queensland on Saturday night before strengthening and returning to NSW on Monday, bringing strong winds and dangerous sea conditions.
Areas of the coast will also see severe coastal erosion as Mr How described the weather as ‘pretty nasty for the next three to four days’.
Maroochydore residents walk in torrential rain across the rising Maroochy River on the Sunshine Coast
While heavy rain has already fallen it is expected to get even heavier for the mid-north and northern rivers coast in NSW.
‘There’s another big burst of rain coming down from the tropics tomorrow morning,’ Mr How said.
‘The heaviest falls will start around Fraser Island and the Sunshine Coast early Sunday morning and will gradually shift down to NSW’.
While there are severe weather warnings, Mr How says the rain will be a reprieve for firefighters tackling bushfires on Fraser Island.
‘There’s been some showers overnight and there’s more on the way but hopefully they get a good drenching to put out the fire,’ he said.
Residents recorded footage of their cubby houses and trampolines being bowled over or flown into neighbouring properties
While there are severe weather warnings, Mr How says the rain will be a reprieve for firefighters tackling Fraser Island. Pictured: The fire on Friday
With the rain there will also be windy conditions out in the water for south-east Queensland prompting warnings for wind and hazardous surf.
He is urging people to stay off the roads and to take care when driving while the heavy rain hits.
‘Check in with local emergency services and always follow advice – don’t drive over flooded water and check all the warnings for the weekend,’ Mr How said.
The NSW State Emergency Service has sent extra volunteers, including flood rescue technicians, to the area to cope with requests for help.
‘We’re expecting we will see a lot of people in orange uniforms out and about helping the communities in which they live,’ SES Chief Superintendent Greg Swindells told reporters on Friday.
The SES has advised that those caught up in flooding should never drive through flood water, and should seek refuge in the highest available place if required.
Another view of the Fraser Island bushfire burning in Rooney Point last week, there may be reprieve for the fire because of the heavy rain
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