Lismore, low lying areas of Casino and surrounding areas are currently looking at minor to moderate flooding in some areas as the the Richmond River and Wilsons Rivers heads towards their predicted peaks. Wilsons River in Lismore is expected to peak at 8m around 11am today.
According to the SES ‘Heavy rainfall across the Richmond River catchment on Thursday has caused minor flooding along the Richmond River at Kyogle. ‘Floodwaters from the Wilsons River and the upper Richmond River has caused minor flooding at Coraki and Bungawalbyn. Minor flooding may occur at Woodburn.’
‘It won’t be expected to enter the central business district (CBD) as the levee is 10.2m high. However, there will be some run off through the CBD and areas of localised flooding,’ a spokesperson for Lismore City Council told Echonetdaily.
School closures
Both Trinity Catholic College and The Rivers Secondary College Richmond River High Campus closed today in expectation of the flooding, however, Lismore High has remained open.
The water is currently still rising, though very slowly,’ said Brother John Hilet from Trinity.
‘If it gets to eight metres as predicted then we would expect it to enter the ground floor of the buildings. It would only be a few centimetres, and nothing like the 2017 floods, but we have to turn off the electricity and the toilets are located on the ground floor. However, we are hopeful that it won’t rise that high.’
The SES are expecting a range of impacts and have reminded farmers that and other landholders to ensure equipment and livestock are monitored. They have said that low lying areas of North and South Lismore, Woodier, Casino, Coraki and Cabbage Tree Island are likely to be impacted with people being prepared to relocate if required.
SES has said they are expecting the following impacts:
At Lismore
• Flood water has inundated the lower car park behind Westlawn Finance building
• Slater Creek may back up and inundate Pitt Street near the Richmond River Sports Oval in
North Lismore
• Simes Bridge closed
• Road access between North Lismore and Lismore will continue to be restricted or close
• The following streets may close;
• Alexandra Parade, Tweed Street, Terania Street, the southern end of Bridge Street and over
the bridge to Woodlark Street, Tweed Street, Wilson Street via the Robert White Bridge,
Casino Street, Union Street then via Woodlark Street or the Bruxner Highway
• Bridge Street, near McKenzie Park in North Lismore may close
• Junction Street, between the southern ends of Molesworth and Keen streets, may close
• Flood water may inundate the Lismore Tourist Caravan Park
• Woodlawn Road at the railway underpass may close
• Road access to Woodlawn College may close
• Flood Water may enter low lying parts of Trinity College
• Winterton Parade at the Richmond River High may close
• Alexandra Parade on the southern edge of the showground may close
• Hollingworth Creek may back up and start inundation of low-lying areas in South Lismore
near the floodgate in Newbridge, Crown, Elliott and Engine streets
At Kyogle
• Low lying northern parts of Kyogle CBD have been inundated.
• Flood water cuts the Summerland Way at the railway viaduct, north of Fawcetts Creek,
closing it to traffic
• Flood water has inundated the Kyogle Caravan Park
At Coraki
• Flood waters has inundated Coraki Caravan Park
At Bungawalbyn
Low lying areas of localised flooding occuring.
At Woodburn
• Flood water may enter the CWA Hall in River Street Woodburn.
• Water flows across the Woodburn to Kilgan Road at Bertolis Corner in North Woodburn
inundating low lying properties
• Flood water may inundate properties in Banks Street Woodburn
Support the The Echo
Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.
Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.
My back yard has the floodwater river in it and I am on the Leychester river.
I may no have a backyard after this.
Council has ignored requests to move the stormwater pipe away from edge of river as this takes the land in the heavy swirling wash during prolonged storm activity.
They want to put up our rates when we already incur great expense at their neglect.