Canberra weather: SES warn of flash flooding on the coast and heavy rainfall in the ACT

State Emergency Services are on stand by as Canberra gets set for a possible 25 millimetres of rain on Saturday.

Pedal Power chief executive Ian Ross described the cancellation of the ride as "devastating" after months of preparation. Ironically, last year's ride was also cancelled because of a thick blanket of bushfire smoke across the capital.

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The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast persistent rainfall and increased winds across eastern districts for the ACT throughout Saturday and into the early hours of Sunday morning.

ACT SES has advised residents should move cars under cover and away from trees, secure loose items around houses and in yards and keep clear of creeks and storm drains.

A spokesperson from ACT SES said personnel were on standby for what was likely to be a busy weekend.

"There's going to be wet conditions so please stay alert and secure any loose items around the house if possible," the spokesperson said.

"If anyone runs into any trouble please get in touch with SES as they are on stand by and ready to go."

A downpour that has flooded rivers and triggered evacuations along the NSW coast also made its way to Sydney on Saturday.

The Bureau said the deluge arriving on Saturday would be on another level.

"We might see quite significant flash flooding and we've got a flood watch current for both the Nepean and Hawkesbury rivers," bureau flood operations manager Justin Robinson said.

Further north, evacuations have occurred in many towns on the Mid North Coast, with the Pacific Highway cut in several places between Newcastle and Port Macquarie.

Along the Hastings River, which flows through Wauchope and Port Macquarie, residents are describing it it as a 1 in 100-year flood event.

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People living in low-lying areas of Port Macquarie were forced to evacuate on Friday, with a significant number of properties set to be inundated.

Nearby areas of North Haven, Dunbogan, Camden Head, Laurieton were also ordered to leave, as well as those living in Kempsey and along the lower Macleay River.

The rainfall is the result of a low pressure trough lying along the NSW Coast, combined with a strong high pressure system to the south, generating windy and wet conditions and surf heights of up to 5 metres.

The NSW government has activated a 24-hour Public Information and Enquiry Centre (PIC) to support its severe weather operations. The contact number for the PIC is 1800 227 228.

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