The NSW mid north coast is enduring another drenching but forecasters say conditions will ease after Saturday’s downpour

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The SES received more than 550 calls for help on Saturday and responded to 2,748 requests after another drenching on the mid north coast of New South Wales.

There were also more than 70 flood rescues, most on the mid north coast and in the Hunter, SES spokesman Brent Hunter said.

Hunter said many rescues involved people driving in floodwaters and in one instance, the SES had to call police to stop people entering Audley Weir in the Royal National Park south of Sydney.

BOM New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) Heavy rainfall over NSW mid-north coast today. #NSWFlood Warnings current for Orara, Bellinger and Hastings Rivers https://t.co/Ss766eSCrL pic.twitter.com/WAG7oWlaLw

“We have had people disregarding the warning signs and walking across the weir, which obviously is idiotic in itself,” Hunter said. “It’s a quick way to end your life.”

NSW SES (@NSWSES) We have called the @nswpolice to assist @ Audley Weir in the Royal National Park as ppl have disregarded warnings to stay out of floodwater. pic.twitter.com/fcflSldJwI

A lingering low pressure system extending through the region and across parts of the Hunter, northern rivers and northern tablelands was threatening to cause flash flooding, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Forecasters on Saturday afternoon issued a severe weather warning, noting that areas inland of Evans head in the northern rivers region had received 70mm of rain in just one hour.

Rainfall totals of up to 200mm were expected, with parts of the northern rivers and mid north coast already recording more than 100mm since 9am Friday, the Bureau said.

Yamba, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree, Sawtell and Dorrigo were all in the firing line.

The SES had 180 teams ready to respond to further incidents on Saturday, which included about 650 volunteers.

Areas of the mid north coast that had already experienced a drenching in the 24 hours to Saturday morning included Careys Peak in the Williams Range (179mm), Bellingen (142mm) and Red Hill in Coffs Harbour (135mm).

Images and footage from Bellingen showed Lavenders bridge underwater.

Andrew Woodward (@andrewwoodward) Debris mounting against Bellinger River Bridge in Bellingen. 1615 ADST. pic.twitter.com/rFO8FyPID9

The Pacific Highway was at midday closed in both directions at New Italy near Woodburn and Grafton, the Transport Management Centre said.

The SES also warned that several causeways and bridges may be closed by minor flooding of the Upper Nepean river.