The heavy rainfall and thunderstorms with intense local rainfall have been caused by a low pressure system near the northeast NSW coast say the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
‘HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast over parts of the Northern Rivers. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 140 mm are possible, reaching up to 200 mm over coastal areas and ranges,’ said the BOM in their Severe weather Warning this morning.
A BOM warning issued this morning at 5.45am said that the ‘Tweed River at Tumbulgum may peak near the minor flood level (1.40 m) around 10am Wednesday on the high tide’. This is also combined with a minor flood warning for Tumbulgam and Chinderah and general minor flooding along the Tweed River.
South Tweed Shire hard hit
Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry told The Echo that ‘Southern parts of our Shire have received a further 100mm since 9am yesterday, with heavy rain continuing and we are being affected by some strong winds. Much of the Shire is affected by the Severe Weather Warning issued by the BOM for the region this morning across today and flooded creeks are again rising in Burringbar, Crabbes Creek and Mooball, along with tidal Tweed River rises in Chinderah. I do not think we are out of the woods with this event yet.’
Road damage
‘We have severe road damage all over the Shire and there are many roads unpassable due to flooding or damage so people should look on the myroadinfo section of the Tweed Shire Council website Emergency Dashboard. We really need people to be slow, safe and patient out there if they have to travel,’ said Mayor Cherry.
‘We are asking people to particularly avoid Tumbulgum where flooding has again damaged roads. Many of the temporary repairs we did to get people access to smaller areas like Byrrill Creek have washed out again.
‘The biggest issue for our Shire are the landslips that have been made even less stable by this new flooding event. We still have our evacuation centres open today at Murwillumbah TAFE, Kingscliff TAFE and Banora Point Salvation Army Hall and will reassess this at 2pm this afternoon.’
In a press release, the Tweed Shire Council said ‘Major landslips at Scenic Drive in Bilambil, Reserve Creek Road and at Tyalgum Road, which occurred during the first flooding event, remain perilous and may be further damaged. Motorists are urged not to move road closure barriers as these are in place to save lives.
‘Emergency works in response to this most recent flood event have commenced and will entail repair of damage to Tweed Valley Way at Tumbulgum, removal of mud from this road and Dulguigan Rd, removal of landslips and repair of washouts on Byrrill Creek Road and many other rural roads. Additional landslips also occurred overnight on Tomewin Rd and Balfours Road, Bungalora.’
Evacuation centres
Community members affected by the current severe weather and have been asked to evacuate are encouraged to seek assistance from friends and family in the first instance, but if that is not possible, the current evacuation centres available can be found in the list below:
Current Evacuation Centres:
- Kingscliff and Chinderah: Kingscliff Tafe – 806 Cudgen Rd, Kingscliff.
- Lismore: Southern Cross University, Military Rd, East Lismore.
- Mullumbimby and surrounds: Mullumbimby RSL – 58 Dalley St, Mullumbimby.
- Mullumbimby, Ocean shores and Brunswick Heads: Ocean Shores Country Club – 113 A Orana Rd, Ocean Shores.
- Murwillumbah and surrounds: Murwillumbah Tafe – 146 Murwillumbah St, Murwillumbah.
- Tweed: Banora Point – Salvation Army – Cnr Woodlands and Leisure Drive, Banora Point.
- Kyogle: Kyogle Memorial Hall – Summerland Way, Kyogle
- Coraki: Coraki Uniting Church, 5/15 Adams St
Dedicated community recovery centres also provide face-to-face support for NSW residents affected by natural disasters. For a full list of Recovery centres where you can seek help and advice, please visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/recovery-centres
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