Road closures
3.30pm: All lanes of Lismore Road are now open between Binna Burra and Richmond Hill after being closed due to flooding.
The road was closed between Binna Burra Road and Boatharbour Road.
10am: Parts of Byron Bay’s central business district have been underwater this morning following 275mm of rain in the previous 24 hours combined with a high tide. Lawson and Middleton Streets were significantly affected along with some streets in the Byron Arts and Industry Estate.
The tide is currently turning and the impact of the flooding is expected to reduce in the near future.
8am: King tides in Ballina are expected to exacerbate heavy rainfall over the weekend with high tides forecast on Sunday through to Tuesday may exacerbate flood conditions in low lying coastal areas.
During storm events when king tides and high rainfall coincide, localised flooding on urban roads can occur.
Saltwater may cause damage to vehicles. Where possible, please avoid the following roadways that may be inundated during king tides:
• Tamar Street, Ballina
• Riverside Drive, West Ballina
• River Street, West Ballina
• Burns Point Ferry Road, West Ballina
• North Creek Road, North Ballina
• Southern Cross Drive, North Ballina
• Uralba Road, Uralba
• Old Bangalow Road, Tintenbar
• Tamarind Dr, Cumbalum.
The times of king tides vary, but will generally occur mid-morning in the coming days.
For local road closures and cautions please visit My Road Info.
6am: Lismore Road is closed in both directions between Binna Burra and Richmond Hill due to flooding.
The closure is between Binna Burra Road and Boatharbour Road.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use the Bruxner Highway or Pacific Highway instead. Bus services will also be affected in the area.
Motorists are urged to drive to the conditions and should not attempt to drive through floodwaters.
For the latest traffic information, visit Live Traffic, download the Live Traffic NSW app or call 132 701.
Surf warning
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Hazardous Surf Warning, Marine Wind Warning and a Severe Weather Alert which will affect the Byron Coast in northern NSW through to the Eden Coast in the state’s south.
Original story
The Bureau of Meteorology have issued a Flood Watch for the Northern Rivers. Predicted heavy rain falls of 75-150mm are expected, with higher isolated falls possible, over the coming days into early next week.
Both minor and flash flooding are a possibility across roads and motorists are reminded to avoid driving through flooded roads.
‘Heavy rain resulting in flash flooding along the coast is a real possibility. Flash flooding is incredibly dangerous. I’m urging motorists, please stay safe on the roads – pull over if the rain becomes too heavy or if you can no longer see where you are going. Make safe decisions and never enter floodwaters,’ said NSW SES Deputy Commissioner, Daniel Austin.
‘We are preparing for the possibility of flooding if rainfall levels are significant, in which case homes and businesses may be impacted. Preparing now for a flood can save lives and minimise the damage to property and possessions,’ continued Mr Austin.
NSW SES volunteers are on standby to assist communities and additional resources have been deployed to areas likely to be impacted by the severe weather event.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
