NSW and parts of Queensland are bracing for another flood emergency as heavy rains and river rises hit towns across Australia's east.
Multiple severe weather warnings are in place for heavy rainfall which may lead to flash floods in parts of Queensland's south-east coast and NSW's north-east coast, while residents in Lismore are bracing for what could be the town's third flood of the year.
It comes as floodwaters along the Murray River in northern Victoria rise to their highest level in 100 years.
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Warnings in place
In Queensland and NSW, a low-pressure system off Queensland's Sunshine Coast is forecast to move slowly south this morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects that the system will bring heavy rainfall, with six-hourly rainfall totals between 90 to 150mm possible.
Intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding are also possible, with the highest risk areas are about the coastal areas and ranges.
Beaches are off limits on the Gold Coast, with a gale wind warning issued for coastal waters.
The heaviest of rain is expected on the Sunshine Coast to just south of Coolangatta.
There is a flood watch for the Richmond, Wilsons, Tweed and Rouse Rivers and the Clarence River, while a minor flood warning remains for the Orara River, all in NSW.
READ MORE: Anxious wait for Lismore residents as third flood event of the year approaches
In Lismore, residents are ramping up their flood response as flooding is expected for the third time this year.
Lismore mayor Steve Krieg told Weekend Today said many residents only moved back to the town four weeks after the previous flooding event.
"The community is very anxious," he told Weekend Today.
"There is a lot of people who are really nervous about the next 24-48 hours that's for sure."
He said many of the town's residents are still traumatised by the year's earlier floods.
"The mental health impact of the February 28 event is going to live long in Lismore's memory," he said.
"I talk to people daily who are still very highly traumatised from that weather event from only eight months ago and, these warnings and flood preparations now, yes, they are very worrying for our community, that's for sure."
The SES has begun doorknocking activities to alert Lismore residents about the possibility of floods.
In Victoria, there is a chance of showers today, most likely in the evening. There is a chance of a thunderstorm in the northeast suburbs of Melbourne.
There is a gale wind warning for the central coast and strong wind morning in place for Port Phillip, West Coast, Central Gippsland Coast and East Gippsland Coast.
Residents are advised to keep across BoM's warnings as the system bears down. Queensland warnings can be viewed here, NSW here, Victoria here, Tasmania here and Western Australia here.
