The NSW State Emergency Service is urging people to prepare for possible flooding in the state’s northern coastal areas, with 200mm of rain predicted to fall in some areas over the coming Queen’s birthday long weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting heavy rainfall in several coastal areas over the next few days, with the potential for flooding from tomorrow.

A flood warning is in place for the Orara, Nambucca, Bellinger, Kalang and Hastings River valleys in NSW.

The bureau is warning people who live and work around streams and rivers to keep watch and be ready to move to higher ground if there is flooding.

Phil Campbell from the NSW SES said most of the rain was expected to fall on Friday night.

“We’re in for a pretty wet period and we’re looking at rain not just along the coastal fringe but also extending into the ranges as well,” he said.

“So those people living and working along the rivers where there are flood watches, they should lift pumps and relocate livestock to higher ground now.”

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING for HEAVY RAINFALL updated to include #NorthernRivers, as well as #MidNorthCoast & #Hunter. https://t.co/eWT5Uvk8gp pic.twitter.com/AIJqTDyOR4

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) June 9, 2017

Areas expected to experience heavy rainfall include Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree and Dorrigo.