FLOOD WATCH: AUTHORITIES READY ON THE NORTHERN RIVERS

Emergency authorities are on high alert in the Northern Rivers area as rain from Cyclone Marcia penetrates across the border into New South Wales.

As much as 100 millimetres of rain has fallen in the Burringbar Range area and authorities are concerned there could be another 300 to 400 millimetres to come in the next 24 to 48 hours. They say there’s a 20 per cent chance of a major flood in the Wilsons River catchment.

Residents in the low lying areas of Lismore have begun sandbagging. Two helicopters are on standby at Goonellabah and two dozen SES volunteers from the Hunter Valley will join hundreds of others in the area.

All Catholic schools on the Northern Rivers are closed, as are several public schools.