Torrential rain across the Hunter and mid north coast saw both the Myall and Karuah Rivers rise, with extensive flooding at Bulahdelah, while heavy winds decimated Hawks Nest.

Water levels in Bulahdelah reached some of the highest levels in over a decade, while in Hawks Nest uprooted trees and falling branches lead to a number of near misses.

A woman was taken to hospital after a branch fell on her while she was walking and a tree blocked traffic along Tuloa Avenue when winds of over 120 kilometres an hour ripped it from the ground.

Surf of up to 15 metres with huge swells was reported at many locations along the coast.

Rainfall across the area was widespread, with many centres receiving well over 200 millimetres while Crawford River received over 270mm.

An accident near Nerong last Thursday blocked traffic on the Pacific Highway for a number of hours when a heavily laden semi-trailer slid out near Grey Gum Gully and jackknifed.

A number of local centres also experienced blackouts.

Parts of Tea Gardens were without power for up to an hour on Friday morning.

Emergency services as well as Great Lakes Council and Country Energy were kept busy throughout the storms with callouts numbering in the hundreds.