UPDATE Sunday March 21 – 2.30pm
Flood Warnings are current and rainfall associated with a second trough has the potential to cause minor to moderate flooding from Sunday through to the middle of the week along parts of the NSW coast from the Northern Rivers to the South Coast as well as parts of the Central West and North West.
A Severe Weather Warning is current
Catchments likely to be affected by flooding are currently wet following rainfall earlier in the week.
The weather system is expected to cause flooding for the catchments listed from Sunday and into the week.
Flood Classes (minor, moderate, major) are only defined for catchments where the Bureau
provides a flood warning service. The catchments with no flood class provided may experience local flooding.
What we are expecting:
Catchments likely to be affected include;
Tweed and Rouse Rivers – minor flooding
Brunswick River and Marshalls Creek – minor flooding
Coffs Coast – minor flooding
Karuah River – local flooding
Goulburn and Upper Hunter Rivers – minor flooding
Newcastle Area – local flooding
Central Coast – local flooding
Lake Macquarie – minor flooding
Flood Warnings have been issued for the following catchments: Orara River, Bellinger and Kalang Rivers,
Nambucca River, Macleay River, Hastings River, Camden Haven River, Manning and Gloucester Rivers, Myall
River, Wallis Lake, Paterson and Williams Rivers, Wollombi Brook and Tuggerah Lake
Sunday March 21 – 1.47pm
There is further heavy rain forecast for parts of the Northern Rivers – The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is predicting heavy rainfall, damaging winds and thunderstorms across many areas today.
BoM says this has the potential to cause flash flooding and possible riverine flooding.
Widespread rainfall is forecast across these areas with some isolated heavy downfalls possible. With recent rainfall, many of the river catchments in the Northern Rivers are already saturated.
With the possibility of further severe storms and heavy rain, NSW SES Northern Zone Chief Superintendent Steve Patterson urges residents to prepare their homes now especially if there is a break in the weather.
Northern Rivers needs to remain prepared
‘While communities down south are experiencing the brunt of the severe weather, the Northern Rivers needs to remain prepared.
‘Bring in or secure any outdoor items in the yard or on the balcony, check your gutters are clear and your roof is in good condition, trim any overhanging branches.’
Chief Superintendent Patterson said that rainfall over the last few weeks in the Northern Rivers has contributed to a number of soaked catchments. ‘This means water runoff and flash flooding is more likely in these areas.’
NSW SES urges residents and visitors to avoid unnecessary travel and if you need to take the time to plan your trip and check road closures and traffic conditions before you travel.
NSW SES advise to never drive, ride or walk through floodwater as this is the main cause of death during floods.
‘It’s important that drivers slow down on the roads and drive to the conditions,’ said Chief Superintendent Patterson. ‘If you come across a flooded road please make the safe decision. Turn around, it’s just not worth the risk!’
Stay alert this week, listen to any updates and advice and monitor the Bureau of Meteorology website on www.bom.gov.au.
