After three consecutive days of torrential rain, flooding, severe gales and massive seas, the weather should finally ease across northeast NSW during the weekend.

One of the most spectacular falls occurred at Dorrigo, to the west of Coffs Harbour, which recorded 449mm in the 24 hours to 9am today, its highest 24-hour total since records began.

On Friday afternoon, the most severe conditions were hammering the region around Grafton and Coffs Harbour, with over 50mm falling in just a few hours.

Gales also persisted on Friday with gusts peaking over 90km/h on the coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood warning for the Clarence River near Grafton, which is expected to peak at almost eight metres by midnight (AEST) Friday.

Evacuation of more than 6,000 people was recommended by the SES for parts of the flood-ravaged north coast, including Lismore and parts of Grafton.

This followed a deluge of up to 350mm of rain in 10 hours in that region, with most of those who decided to evacuate staying with friends or family in safer areas.

On Friday morning, evacuation of Ulmarra and Brushgrove, two small towns on the banks of the Clarence River, was also recommmended.

The attached Bureau of Meteorology rain map released on Friday afternoon for the week ended 9am Friday shows the extent of the rain so far in south-east Qld and northeast NSW this week - and that map doesn't include Friday's ongoing heavy falls in parts of the region.

Despite the expected easing at the weekend, a further 50 to 100mm is still possible for most of the NSW north coast – enough to maintain flooding given the already saturated ground.

By Sunday only light showers will remain, according to WeatherZone.