Heavy rain, flooding in northeastern NSW

Residents in northern NSW are bracing for rough weather spilling over from intensifying Tropical Cyclone Marcia, which is bearing down on the Queensland coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology is warning of strong winds and dangerous surf as well as heavy rain in the Northern Rivers district, on the Mid North Coast and in eastern parts of the Northern Tablelands.

A Flood Watch has been issued for the NSW coast from the Queensland border to the Nambucca Valley for Friday and Saturday.

The area includes the Tweed, Brunswick, Richmond, Wilsons, Clarence, Bellinger and Nambucca River valleys.

The NSW State Emergency Service is urging people living and working along rivers and streams to lift pumps and move livestock and equipment to higher ground.

Residents in isolated areas are being urged to stock up on food, fuel, medicine and other essentials.