Update Tuesday, December 15, 4.45am
Heavy rain has continued over the Tweed catchment over night and may continue in the next few hours.
Water levels along the Tweed River have responded strongly to the increased rainfall. Minor flooding is occurring at Murwillumbah where moderate flooding is expected to develop this morning.
River levels at Tumbulgum are above the minor flood level and are expected to reach the major flood level on Tuesday around noon with the high tide. River levels at Chinderah are expected to reach the moderate flood level on Tuesday around noon with the high tide. Further rises are possible if the rain intensifies again in the next few hours.
A Severe Weather Warning is current for the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted that the Tweed River will today (Tuesday):
• At North Murwillumbah – is expected to reach around 4.20 metres 7am with moderate flooding. Further rises are possible if the rain intensifies again.
• At Tumbulgum – is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (1.80 m) around 5am. The river level is expected to reach around 2.50 metres midday today with major flooding. Further rises are possible if the rain intensifies again.
• At Chinderah (Barneys Point) – is expected to exceed the minor flood level (1.30 m) around 9am. The river level is expected to reach around 1.70 metres midday today with moderate flooding.
What to expect
• Low lying farm land may be affected, farmers are advised to monitor equipment and livestock.
• This flood may be a similar to the 2017 and 1978 floods
At Chinderah:
• Flood water may close Fingal Road near the corner of Wommin Lake Crescent, isolating Fingal Head
• Possible inundation of low lying areas and roads in and around Chinderah including the Tweed and Heritage Caravan Parks, Chinderah Road, River Street and Wommin Bay Drive
• Possible inundation of low lying properties in Fingal Head
• With Increased rain Wommin Lake can contribute to flooding on Fingal Road
• Chinderah Bay Road may close at Jenner’s Corner (North Lane only)
• Inundation starts in Tweed Caravan Park and at the entrance of Tweed Heritage Caravan Park
• Piggabeen Road may close at Cobaki Creek isolating properties in Cobaki and Piggabeen.
• Flood water may go over Kirkwood Road (west) and Kennedy Drive may close at intersection of Rose Street near the Pyramid Caravan Park.
• Tweed Valley Way may close north and south of Tumbulgum.
• Most properties in Chinderah are likely to be inundated some with over floor flooding
• Flood waters may start to inundate low lying areas of Kingscliff
• Flood water starts to inundate low lying properties in the Chinderah area including Caravan Parks
At Murwillumbah:
• Tweed Valley Way may close between Murwillumbah and Tumbulgum, preventing road access to the Gold Coast.
• Roads in Tumbulgum may close isolating Tumbulgum.
• Tweed Valley Way may close between Murwillumbah and Condong isolating Condong
• The flooding street can experience flooding through back up of storm water Knox Park, Nullum Street, King Street, Condong Street and Hartigan Street.
• Flood water starts to inundate Greenhills Caravan Park
• Flood water starts to Inundate properties in Mooball Street Murwillumbah At Tumbulgum:
• Dulguigan Road is cut opposite the Tumbulgum village.
• Water crosses Riverside Drive immediately east of the bridge and backs up into the lower areas on the eastern side of the village.
• Tweed Valley Way to the north at “Mohomad’s” corner in the vicinity of Stotts Island and to the south at Dinseys Creek is cut.
• Terranora Road in North Tumbulgum is cut
• Water begins to flow from the area near the boat ramp and crosses Riverside Drive into the village.
• Tweed Valley Way closed to north and south bound traffic between Tumbulgum and Tweed Heads and Tumbulgum and Murwillumbah.
What you need to do:
People in areas likely to be impacted by flooding should consider:
• Refraining from driving or walking through flood water
• Road closures and flood isolation may impact on work, family and educational commitments
• Monitoring emergency warnings and severe weather updates on local ABC radio, NSW SES Northern Rivers Facebook Page and Bureau of Meteorology website
• If your property is at risk of inundation, please raise moveable items, such as furniture, as high as possible onto benches or tables, placing electrical items on top
• If you are advised by an emergency services officer to evacuate, please do so
• Securing outside belongings and before leaving; turn off the power, water and take essential medicines and clothes with you
• Farmers should move machinery, livestock, pumps and fodder to flood free ground
For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500. In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.
For more information:
• Listen to your local ABC radio station, follow the NSWSES on Facebook or www.ses.nsw.gov.au
• Latest Weather, Warnings, Rainfall and River heights: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/
• Road Closures: www.livetraffic.com.au or www.myroadinfo.com.au
• Rural animal and livestock assistance, contact Local Land Services
The next bulletin will be issued 08:30 am on Tuesday 15 December 2020.
