An evacuation centre was opened at St Marys Hall in St Marys on Friday to accommodate residents in the aftermath of flash-flooding.

Residents of Fingal were evacuated on Friday afternoon, after rising floodwaters threatened the town.

The small East Coast town received more than a metre of rain on Friday.

Break O'Day Mayor Mick Tucker said the community was bracing for more severe floods and water up to 2 metres in some areas.

"We've had a major event coming through Fingal today with a lot of flooding, and we're down here doing everything we can to see if we can relocate anybody that needs to be moved," Cr Tucker said.

"We've had a lot of flooding all through St Marys through to Fingal and there's been a lot of inundation of homes as well as businesses in St Marys."

St Marys Hotel barman Rodney Spilsbury said water was up to four feet deep at 8am on Friday. "The local baker's shop will be out of action for about two or three days because the water's gone right through there," he said. The hotel had booked in several people who were evacuating their homes, Mr Spilsbury said.

SES regional manager Mhairi Revie said while the SES was not forcing evacuations in St Marys, many residents were heading to the evacuation centre, concerned for their safety. "We know that people are experiencing quite a lot of flash flooding in St Mary's and we know that people, under those conditions, feel more comfortable going to an evacuation centre, which is why that centre is now open," Ms Revie said.

Sandbags were available from St Marys sports ground and St Helens council depot.