The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a minor flood watch for the Orara River (in the south of the Clarence Valley) as a strong cold front makes its way across the state today.

The cold front and its associated trough are forecast to move offshore early on Thursday morning. Following the passage of the trough, a low-pressure system is expected to develop offshore along the central coast, resulting in increased rainfall about parts of the Hunter, Mid-North Coast and Northern rivers.

Catchments in the flood watch are moderately wet.

The Flood Watch area affected by rainfall, as well as rainfall totals, will be highly sensitive to the position and strength of any developing low-pressure system.

This weather system is expected to cause flooding in the Flood Watch areas starting from Thursday evening into the weekend.

The Bureau is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updated advice as required. Catchment-specific warnings will be issued if and when required.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

• Orara River - minor flooding

The Orara River is the only western flowing river in the region as it makes its way from the Coffs Harbour region through the villages of Glenreagh, Coutts Crossing until it meets the Clarence River near Eatonsville.

Coffs Coast

• Bellinger and Kalang Rivers - minor flooding

• Manning and Gloucester Rivers - minor flooding

• Myall River - minor flooding

• Karuah River

• Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter River - minor flooding

• Paterson and Williams Rivers - minor flooding

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