Flood water at Sherrys Bridge in Main Arm where two vehicles were stranded in flood water overnight. Photo Aslan Shand
Flooding is taking place across the Northern Rivers with multiple road closures across the region and flood warnings remaining in place for local rivers.
Overnight saw two cars stranded in flood water near Sherrys Bridge in Main Arm, Mullumbimby while Emergency Services took a boat further up Main Arm to assess a vehicle that had been submerged at one of the creek crossings in Upper Main Arm.
Shearwater Steiner School was evacuated as the floodwaters rose this morning.
Motorists are reminded to never drive through floodwater and to leave extra travel time and follow the directions of emergency services and traffic crews, and be prepared for conditions to change quickly.
For the latest traffic information, download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701.
Flood water at Sherrys Bridge in Main Arm at 6.40am this morning. Photo Tamara Cameron
Flood warnings
The Brunswick River and Marshalls Creek at Mullumbimby and Billinudgel
Minor flood warnings remain in place for ‘Heavy rainfall recorded across the Brunswick River catchment in the past 12 hours has caused significant river level rises along the Marshalls Creek at Billinudgel and along the Brunswick River at Mullumbimby.,’ states the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) flood warnings.
‘Minor flooding is likely along the Marshalls Creek at Billinudgel from Thursday afternoon and along the Brunswick River at Mullumbimby from Thursday morning.’
It is predicted that the Marshalls Creek at Billinudgel is likely to reach the minor flood level of 2.50 metres Thursday afternoon.
The Brunswick River at Federation Bridge, Mullumbimby is predicted to reach the minor flood level of 2.50 metre around midday on Thursday with a further rises to 3.0 metres are possible early Thursday afternoon.
The Wilsons River at Lismore
Heavy rainfall across the Wilsons River catchment since Wednesday has caused minor flooding along the Wilsons River at Lismore.
‘The Wilsons River at Lismore (AHD) may reach around 6.00 metres Thursday evening with minor flooding. Further rises are possible,’ states the BOM.
The Richmond River at Coraki and Bungawalbyn
‘Heavy rainfall across the Richmond and Wilsons River catchment(s) since Wednesday has caused significant river level rises along the Wilsons River and Leycester Creek. Some river level rises have also observed along the Richmond River,’ states the BOM.
Road closed
The road is closed between Ellengowan Road in Casino and Bungawalbin-Whiporie Road in Whiporie. Motorists needing to travel between Casino and Whiporie are advised to use the Bruxner Highway, Pacific Highway and Big River Way via Lismore, West Ballina and Grafton instead. This alternative route is suitable for all vehicles, including B-doubles, however it will add around two-and-a-half hours to trips.
‘Floodwaters from the Wilsons River combined with floodwaters from the Richmond River have the potential to cause minor flooding along the Richmond River at Coraki and Bungawalbyn from Thursday afternoon onwards.’
The Richmond River at Coraki is likely to reach the minor flood level 3.40 metres on Thursday afternoon with a further rise to 4.0 metres are possible early Friday morning.
The Richmond River at Bungawalbyn is likely to reach the minor flood level 3.00 metres on Thursday afternoon and further rises to 4.0 metres are possible early Friday morning.
Tweed River
Minor to moderate flood warning for the Tweed River at Tumbulgum and Chinderah.
‘Moderate to heavy rainfall has been recorded across the Tweed River catchment in the past 12 hours resulting in significant river level rises,’ states the BOM .
‘Minor flooding is occurring along the Tweed River at Tumbulgum. Further rises to the moderate flood level (1.80 metres) are expected from Thursday afternoon.
‘Minor flooding is possible along the Tweed River at Chinderah from Thursday afternoon.
‘Minor flooding is occurring along the Tweed River at Tumbulgum with moderate flooding likely. Minor flooding
‘The Tweed River at North Murwillumbah is expected to peak below the minor flood level (3.00 m) around 10:00 am Thursday.
‘The Tweed River at Tumbulgum is likely to reach the moderate flood level (1.80m) around 01:00 pm Thursday. Further rises possible.
‘The Tweed River at Chinderah (Barneys Point) may reach the minor flood level (1.30m) around 03:00 pm Thursday.
Why is there a crocodile lying on that car?
It’s a tree, not a crocodile! 🙂
I saw the black car ‘off’ Main Arm Road at 9am on Friday. The river gauge height at Sherrys Bridge just downstream (http://www.bom.gov.au/fwo/IDN60231/IDN60231.558007.plt.shtml) was down to about 2.6m and I could just drive through. Water at the gauge had been up to 3.8m and rose again from 9am up to a second peak of 3.7m towards midday. It’s a tree trunk on the bonnet, not a croc. I thank the local police who enforced don’t the “drive though water” messge at this deadly site. The occupant(s) of the black car would likely have drowned like other car occupants before them if farmers hadn’t built the fence and hardwood posts there a few years ago. I hope the car driver has thanked the Leesons. Council has funding to make Main Arm Road safer at this location. The project is in its design phase.