UPDATE: 8.10pm

HEAVY rain is expected to continue across the Tweed overnight. 

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, between 50 and 110mm of rain fell across the region in the 12 hours to 7pm Friday. 

Strong winds are also still expected to raise the tides above their usual levels in the next day.

Murwillumbah was expected to see minor flooding early Saturday morning, with the river forecast to exceed minor flood levels at 2am Saturday. 

At Barneys Point, the river level was approaching a peak below minor flood level at 8pm Friday. A second minor flood peak was forecast for Saturday morning's high tide.

As of 8pm Friday, a flood watch was still current for the Tweed Valley, with moderate to major flooding forecast. 

The Tweed River at Chinderah was forecast to reach minor flooding levels about 8am Saturday, in conjunction with the high tide. 

Strong winds and dangerous surf were also still forecast to continue overnight.

On Friday evening, Eungella resident Jacob Leisleighter's vehicle was almost crushed by a falling tree near the Court House in Murwillumbah. 

Mr Leisleighter said he hears the crash of the tree, but didn't think much of it. 

Later, he realised it was inches away from landing on his ute. 

The Clarrie Hall Dam remains above capacity and was at 62.12m and rising at 8.10pm Friday. 

FloodSafe advice is available at ses.nsw.gov.au

For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500.

For life threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

UPDATE: 4.45pm

THE weather bureau has issued an official flood warning for the Tweed River.

At 4.43pm Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology updated a statement warning moderate to major flooding could me imminent for the Tweed Valley overnight.

Strong winds are expected to raise the tides above their normal predicted levels for the next 24 hours. 

It is understood this will cause some minor flooding along the lower Tweed River and Chinderah area on Friday night.

It was not yet possible for the bureau to predict flood peaks due to uncertainty over how much rain could fall.

As of 4.30pm, the Tweed River at Uki, Murwillumbah, Tumbulgum and Barneys Point, the Oxley River at Eungella and Rous River at Boat Harbour were all rising. 

Meanwhile, the Clarrie Hall Dam was spilling over and still rising as of Friday afternoon. 

As of 4.45pm, the dam's level was at 61.74 metres. 

The dam's crest level is 61.5 metres. 

It's understood the dam reached capacity on Friday morning. 

For updated weather information visit bom.gov.au. 

UPDATE: 9.45am

THE State Emergency Service has urged people to avoid floodwater in an attempt to avoid the tragic deaths in the Hunter.

SES Richmond-Tweed media officer Janet Pettit said one message was constantly avoided by people during floods and storms. 

"Please don't drive, ride, or walk through floodwater," Ms Pettit said.

Ms Pettit said there were more than 20,000 calls during the Hunter incident, with 170 flood rescues. 

She said while some people are genuinely caught unawares, they should do what they can to keep as safe as possible. 

"They really need to drive to the conditions," she said.

"Be aware that around that corner, there might be a flooded causeway."

Ms Pettit reaffirmed it wouldn't take much for a flowing causeway to wash away a vehicle. 

"There were deaths in the Hunter and we don't want a repeat of that here," she said.

Ms Pettit said there were about 60 Victorian SES volunteers in the Richmond-Tweed region. 

"Basically they're helping out with any storm assistance," she said. 

"They've really come along to help support our local SES crews."

Ms Pettit said while there had only been three calls for assistance around the Tweed as of 9.45am Friday, the worst was yet to come. 

"The East Coast Low is supposed to form later today," she said.

"We'll see an intensity in the rainfall and the wind will pick up."

Still, she said the end outcome for the Tweed was uncertain, and said it was a "wait and see" situation for emergency services.

She said the local calls for help - two in Tweed Heads and one in Murwillumbah - had involved sandbagging homes and protecting homes from dangerous trees. 

She encouraged residents to be prepared.

"They really should be checking their home emergency kit is stocked and ready in case of power outages or in case they do become isolated," she said.

Ms Pettit recommended making sure you have enough food, medication and fresh water as well at torches, batteries and a radio for weather updates. 

Initial report: May 1 9.15am

EMERGENCY services have braced for the floods predicted around the Northern Rivers.

Damaging winds, rough surf, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to hit parts of the Northern Rivers by Friday afternoon. 

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast winds around 60km/h, with gusts of 90km/h, to develop later in the day as an East Coast Low formed within a deepening trough off the coast. 

The bureau's severe weather warning said heavy surf could lead to some localised damage and coastal erosion. Beach conditions are expected to be dangerous in some parts of the Northern Rivers and people have been urged to steer clear of surf and exposed coastal areas. 

Meanwhile, heavy rain and storms which could lead to flash flooding are expected to intensify throughout the day. 

Banora Point weather gauge reader Wal Smith said he'd measured 125mm of rain between Thursday and 9am Friday. 

He said the area had received 65mm overnight. 

Mr Smith said the canal near his home was flowing strong and swimming pools were overflowing after the rain. 

He said he was planning on staying indoors ahead of the stronger rain and winds due later in the day. 

"When that comes that'll be constant wind and rain," Mr Smith said.

Murwillumbah State Emergency Service unit controller Mark Cowan said while they had not had any calls overnight, they were still ready for what could come. 

"It's all pretty quite here," Mr Cowan said.

Mr Cowan said 24 SES volunteers who last night travelled from Victoria were stationed in Banora Point. 

The weather bureau said between 9am Thursday and 4am Friday, Wooli received 82mm of rain, Port Macquarie 78mm, Houghlahan's Creek(near Lismore) 71mm and Lismore 65mm.