A severe weather warning for Northern Rivers and parts of the Mid North Coast has been issued by the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). This follows a number of flood related deaths in Queensland.
‘HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to flash flooding is forecast to extend over northern parts of the Northern Rivers district during this morning (Sunday 27 February), extending further across northeastern New South Wales by later today. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 110 mm are likely, possibly reaching in excess of 150 mm,’ stated the BOM.
Road closures
Flooding is causing significant road closures across the Northern Rivers and the SES has advised people NOT to drive through floodwater. The majority of SES call outs have been related to cars stranded in flood water and there have been a number of deaths in Queensland and one on the Mid North Coast.
‘The SES is again asking people not to drive, walk or ride through flood waters and to keep clear of creeks and storm drains,’ stated a spokesperson for Byron Shire Council.
To check if roads are open go to: MyRoadInfo.com.au or livetraffic.com.au for road status information.
In the event of a flood emergency, call the SES on 13 25 00, and if it’s life threatening call 000.
Byron Shire: The Byron Shire Emergency Dashboard website has regular local BOM and SES updates.
Lismore Shire: Find out more information about floods and what to do on the council website at www.Lismore.nsw.gov.au.
Tweed Shire: Tweed Shire Council Emergency Dashboard https://emergency.tweed.nsw.gov.au.
Flash flooding
‘Locally INTENSE RAINFALL leading to dangerous and LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible with thunderstorms from Sunday afternoon,’ stated the BOM Flood Warning.
A combined statement from State Emergency Services (SES) and the BOM stated that ‘Falls of 500ml in 24 hours are possible in the North-East corner of NSW over Sunday and Monday. NSW SES is urging residents to prepare their properties for potential flash and or riverine flooding and closely monitor weather conditions to make informed early decisions based on individual circumstances.’
The weather system is expected to cause flooding for the catchments listed from late Saturday into Sunday. Flood classes (minor, moderate, major) are only defined for catchments where the Bureau provides a flood warning service.
Catchments likely to be affected include:
- Tweed and Rouse Rivers: minor to moderate flooding
- Brunswick River and Marshalls Creek: minor flooding
- Wilsons River: moderate to major flooding
- Richmond River: moderate to major flooding
- Clarence River: moderate to major flooding
- Orara River: moderate to major flooding
- Bellinger and Kalang Rivers: minor to moderate flooding
- Nambucca River: minor to moderate flooding
- Macleay River: minor flooding
- Hastings River: minor flooding
Flood warnings are current in the following catchments: Richmond, Wilsons, Clarence, Orara, Bellinger, Paroo and Lachlan.
Lismore – Moderate to Major flooding
Flood warnings remain in place for Lismore with minor flooding occurring.
‘Recent moderate rainfall over the Wilsons River catchment has caused minor flooding along the Wilsons River at Lismore,’ states the BOM.
‘Heavy rainfall is forecast across the Wilsons River catchment from Sunday into Monday. Renewed river level rises have been observed, with rises to major flooding possible. The situation is being closely monitored.’
The Lismore City Council has issued a statement saying ‘The Lismore CBD Levee Gates were closed on Friday evening and will remain closed until after the weather event has passed. All pumps are continuing to work as planned stated a Lismore Council spokesperson.
‘Now is the time to consider implementing your Flood Plan if you live or work in a flood-prone area, including the CBD. Council’s Facebook page is being kept up to date with all the latest developments and their is lots of information about floods and what to do on our website at www.Lismore.nsw.gov.au.’
Richmond River – Minor to Major flooding
There is a renewed minor to major flooding possible along the Richmond River from late Sunday into Monday for the Richmond River.
‘The Richmond River at Coraki, Bungawalbyn and Woodburn peaked on Saturday with minor flooding,’ states the BOM Flood Warning.
‘Minor flooding is occurring at Coraki and Bungawalbyn. River levels at Woodburn are likely to reach the minor flood level Sunday morning.
‘Minor flooding is occurring along the Richmond River at Coraki and Bungawalbyn. Renewed rises to moderate and major flooding possible at Wiangaree, Kyogle, Casino, Coraki, Bungawalbyn and Woodburn.
‘The Richmond River at Wiangaree may reach the minor flood level (11.00 m) Sunday afternoon, with rises to the moderate flood level (15.5 metres) possible early Monday morning.
‘Renewed river rises are occurring along the Richmond River at Kyogle, where river levels are likely to exceed the minor flood level Sunday afternoon, with rises to the major flood level (16.0 metres) possible Monday morning.
‘Renewed river rises are likely along the Richmond River at Casino Road Bridge, with moderate flooding possible from overnight Sunday into Monday.
‘Renewed river rises are likely along the Richmond River at Casino (Automatic Gauge), with moderate flooding possible from overnight Sunday into Monday.
‘Minor flooding is occurring along the Richmond River at Coraki where renewed river rises are likely, with moderate to major flooding possible from Monday afternoon.
‘Minor flooding is occurring along the Richmond River at Bungawalbyn where renewed river rises are likely, with moderate to major flooding possible from Monday afternoon.
‘The Richmond River at Woodburn may reach the minor flood level (3.20 m) around 10:00 am Sunday, on the high tide. Renewed river rises are likely, with moderate flooding possible Tuesday morning with high tide.’
Tweed River– Minor to Major flooding
Moderate flooding at Tumbulgum and minor flooding at Chinderah has been caused by the heavy rainfall across the Tweed River catchment on Saturday and Sunday morning with further rises to the major flood level at Tumbulgum are possible Sunday evening stes the BOM.
‘At Murwillumbah, river levels are possible to rise to the moderate flood level Sunday evening. Further rain is forecast for the remainder of Sunday and Monday,’ continues the BOM Flood Warning.
‘The Tweed River at North Murwillumbah is expected to exceed the minor flood level (3.00 metres) late Sunday morning. The river level may reach the moderate flood level (4.00 metres) Sunday evening.
‘The Tweed River at Tumbulgum may reach the major flood level (2.50 metres) Sunday evening. The Tweed River at Chinderah (Barneys Point) is likely to reach around 1.40 metres 08:00 am Sunday, with minor flooding.’
In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring NSW SES on 132 500.
For more emergency information, advice, and access to the latest river heights and rainfall observations and forecasts:
- NSW SES: www.ses.nsw.gov.au
- RMS Live Traffic: www.livetraffic.com
- Latest River Heights and Rainfall Observations: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/northcoast.shtml
- Latest NSW Warnings: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/
- Rainfall Forecasts: www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/
- BOM NSW Twitter: www.twitter.com/BOM_NSW
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