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Byron Shire
June 16, 2026

Update: Monitor Conditions – Prepare to evacuate Lower North Lismore and surrounding areas

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Update:

Monitor Conditions of the moderate flooding on the Wilsons River:

Lower North Lismore, outside levee and surrounding areas.

Original story:

Residents are being told to PREPARE TO EVACUATE Lower North Lismore, outside levee and surrounding areas due to predicted heavy rainfall and moderate flooding

You should monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate so that you can safely evacuate when instructed to do so by NSW SES. 

Wherever possible, you should prepare to stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements. If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you. 

What are we expecting? 

  • The following areas may be impacted: 
  • Low lying bridges and roads 
  • Causeways and culverts Low lying areas beside the river 
  • This event may change quickly. We will monitor the situation and update our warnings if the situation changes.

What you need to do: 

  • If you have a Home and/or Business Emergency Plan, use it now. 
  • Otherwise, have a conversation and plan for what you will do and take with you if you need to evacuate. 
  • Have your mobile phone close and pack your charger, battery-powered radio, medicine, rain gear, warm clothes, blankets, baby and pet items, water, food, torch, something to attract attention, and valuables like photos and insurance or banking records. 
  • Wear enclosed shoes and pack warm clothes for at least three days to manage unseasonably cool conditions. 
  • Check your vehicle fuel levels and towed equipment (e.g., horse floats, trailers) to ensure you can safely evacuate. 
  • Arrange to evacuate to the home of family or friends who are in a safe location away from present and potential flooding. 
  • Consider how to transport your pet(s) and companion animals. Lift important belongings up onto tables, beds, benches, and shelves above predicted flood levels. 
  • Collect or create sandbags by filling pillowcases or shopping bags with sand and place them around doorways and in toilets and over drains to prevent rising sewage. 
  • Relocate waste containers, chemicals, and poisons well above flood level. Investigate whether there are other hazards (e.g., severe storms, landslip, flash floods) that will impact your ability to evacuate.
  • Avoid storm drains and pipes, ditches, ravines, creeks, and rivers
  • Never drive, walk, ride through, play or swim in floodwater – it is dangerous, toxic, and may void your car insurance. If it’s flooded, forget it. Fines apply. 
  • Obey all signs about road closures and instructions from emergency services. 
  • People working or camping along the river should monitor river heights and be prepared to relocate to higher ground. 
  • Farmers should consider moving pumps and farm equipment to higher ground.

For more information: 

Listen to your local ABC radio station which can be found at reception.abc.net.au

Follow us on social media @NSWSES or visit our website at www.ses.nsw.gov.au

Learn about your risk at www.ses.nsw.gov.au/knowyourrisk

Check latest weather, warnings, rainfall and river heights at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/

Check road closures at www.livetraffic.com.au or 132 701 or your local Council

Check disruptions to public transport at www.transportnsw.info/alerts or call the Transport Infoline on 131 500

For emergency help in floods, storms and tsunamis, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500. In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.



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