Story & photos Dominic Feain
Heavy rain overnight has caused widespread local flooding on the northern rivers with a minor flood warning being issued for the Wilsons River at Lismore this morning.
Lismore City Council workers were preparing for a minor flood peak of about 4.2 metres at 11am with a possible 8pm peak of 5 metres should rain continue today.
A council spokesperson said the flooding was expected to cause only minor inconvenience to the town in low-lying areas.
The Bureau of Meteorology reports that up to 150 millimetres of rain has fallen across the region during the past 27 hours to 6am this morning and further rain is forecast for this morning.
The bureau cannot conclusively predict the flood peak at this stage due to the uncertainty of how much more rain will fall.
A further severe weather warning has been issued by the weather bureau for the northern rivers this morning with winds up to 90km/h predicted as a deep low pressure system slowly moves away from the coast.
Wind speeds of 74km/h have already been recorded at the Cape Byron Automatic Weather Station and 69km/h at Yamba.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should move vehicles under cover or away from trees; secure or put away loose items around houses, yards and balconies and to keep clear of fallen power lines.
Road closures
Police advise motorists to avoid any unnecessary travel today as road conditions deteriorate.
Numerous local roads are closed due to flooding. These include: Boundary and Lindendale roads at Marrom Creek; Clothiers Creek Road; Foleys Road, South Lismore; Friday Hut Road at Emigrant Crossing and Kirklands Crossing; Houghlahans Creek Road (all causeways); Mount Warning Road; Pearces Creek Hall Road at Pearces Creek; Possum Shoot Road; Quilty Road; Stokers Road; Tyagarah Airfield; and Urlium Road, Bilambil.
A number of other local roads remain open but with water over the roads. Drivers are urged to drive to conditions.
For a complete list of closed local roads, visit myroadinfo.com.au.
Call the SES on 132500 should assistance be required.
