The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for Damaging Winds for coastal parts of the Northern Rivers.

As forecast, a low-pressure system is developing offshore of the northeast coast, and will track close to the coast overnight, generating a vigorous south to southeasterly flow along the coast and into the Border Ranges.

Winds will increase overnight Friday into Saturday morning before easing into Saturday evening as the low is forecast to move further offshore.

DAMAGING SOUTH TO SOUTHEASTERLY WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h are expected to develop along the northeast coast overnight tonight into Saturday morning, with peak gusts of around 90 km/h expected in these coastal parts as well as along the Border Ranges.

Winds are expected to ease below warning thresholds by the late afternoon and early evening of Saturday.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to accompany this system, and a Flood Watch is current for the Wilsons and Richmond Rivers. The latest watches and warnings for NSW can be found here: http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/.

Locations that may be affected include Byron Bay, Ballina, Yamba, Woolgoolga, Sawtell and Coffs Harbour.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

* Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.

* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.

* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.

* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.

* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.

* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.

* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.

In Lismore, tomorrow's rainfall is expected to be in the 35 to 90mm range.

You can stay up to date with the latest BOM warnings through the Lismore App Weather & Travel button, Weather and Weather Radar.