Lismore flood watch: ‘Severe thunderstorms’ could see flood waters inundate town

Lower North Lismore has been ordered to evacuate, with other northern rivers towns hit hard by the last floods also now advised to watch for potential imminent flooding again.

Flooded scenes in Molesworth St, Lismore, NSW, on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Heavy rain is predicted for Sunday into Monday, leading to concerns from the flood-ravaged region. Picture: AAP Image/Jason O'Brien

SES has issued an evacuation warning for Lower North Lismore by 8pm Monday night.

The emergency warning is directed at Winterton Pde between Pitt St and the Wilsons River and Pitt Ln.

The warning is for approximately five houses near Simes Bridge and Richmond River High School where water has already inundated Orion and Molesworth Streets.

At about the 7m mark those houses are threatened by flood waters.

“We’ve already door knocked them and they’re already ready to go because they’re the first to go with Riverine flooding in the area,” Unit commander at Lismore City SES Lacy Loloa said.

NSW SES is also advising people at Kyogle Caravan Park to watch and monitor the situation along Richmond River as low-lying areas, bridges and roads could be affected by flash flooding.

Nimbin residents are also advised to monitor conditions as flooding of creeks around the area could affect access to low-lying areas, roads and causeways.

All areas north of Leycester Creek and the Wilsons River in North Lismore are now at "watch and act” level, with residents warned against entering floodwaters and to monitor the situation as it is constantly evolving.

The same “watch and act” advice also applies to parts of South Lismore, including streets located south of Leycester Creek and north of Hollingsworth St:

• Meadow Drive and surrounds

• Streets between Wilson St and Ostrom St

• Streets between Casino St and Newbridge St

• Union St, Ballina Rd, Folyes Rd, Taylors St, Norco Ln, Franks St

Residents in Bungawalbin, Woodburn, Broadwater, Coarki, Cabbage Tree Island and Wardell are advised to stay informed about predicted rising floodwaters around the Richmond River.

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised moderate to heavy rainfall from Saturday to early Sunday has caused river level rises across the Wilsons and Richmond River catchments.

“Minor flooding is occurring along the Richmond River at Coraki and Bungawalbyn with a minor flood peak likely on Tuesday morning,” the NSW SES stated.

Further to the north, residents of Murwillumbah, South Murwillumbah, Tumbulgum and Condong are also advised to monitor conditions although the Tweed River is no longer expected to experience minor flooding.

EARLIER – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23

LISMORE

A fresh warning arrived just before 8pm on Sunday (October 23) about “current dangerous flash flooding” in the Lismore CBD basin, with residents ordered to avoid floodwaters and be aware the situation could evolve quickly.

“Consider the consequences of road and bridge closures and water over roads and make alternate arrangements for work, children, and travel,” the NSW SES stated in their latest warning.

The evacuation warning is to ensure people in the flood zone are preparing to evacuate, Lismore City SES unit commander Lucy Loloa said on Sunday.

“There is a possibility of embedded thunderstorms throughout today and tonight,” she said.

“With the embedded thunderstorms tonight we might see flash flooding and evacuation routes closing early.

“(The Bureau of Meteorology) predicted 9.7 meters is the major flood warning level where it switches from moderate to major.”

Little Keen St, Lismore inundated with flood water and debris in March. Picture: Nicholas Rupolo

Parts of South Lismore have now been warned to prepare to evacuate.

These areas include:

• Streets located south of Leycester Creek and north of Hollingsworth St including;

Meadow Dr and surrounds

• Streets between Wilson St and Ostrom St

• Streets between Casino St and Newbridge St

• Union St, Ballina Rd, Folyes Rd, Taylors St, Norco Ln, Franks St

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

An evacuation centre is being set up at Southern Cross University, but Ms Loloa said it is a place of last resort and people should look to stay elsewhere with friends or family if they can.

Lismore SES is waiting to see where rain run off will flow overnight.

“It really depends on where that rain falls in the catchment,” Ms Loloa said.

“If we have the rain falling into the Leycester Creek catchment as well as the Wilsons River catchment, we’ll see a lot more rain coming down into Lismore as opposed to rain just falling in (one of the catchments).”

Sandbag stations have been set up by Lismore SES, with sand available at Nesbitt Park in South Lismore, above the Workers Golf Club on Barham St East Lismore and the Workers Sports Club on Oliver Ave in Goonellabah.

“People can make their own sandbags, but they do need to bring their own shovel,” Ms Loloa said.

Ms Loloa directed people to hazardwatch.gov.au to stay abreast of the latest emergency updates.

“Be safe and be prepared,” she said.

UPDATE: Three SES vehicles WERE seen transporting rescue boats on Ballia Rd in Goonellabah heading towards low lying areas of Lismore at 2.12pm.

BYRON AND MULLUMBIMBY

At Byron Bay’s main beach, the high tide has reached the rock wall – which was previously destroyed by major erosion during storms in December 2020.

The flash flooding in the Byron Bay CBD earlier today, including around the Bay Motel, has now subsided.

Byron Bay has been lashed with rain as the north coast braces for more potential flooding on October 23, 2022. Picture: Savannah Pocock

But, the skies remain grey and rain continues.

Byron Bay has been lashed with rain as the north coast braces for more potential flooding on October 23, 2022. Picture: Savannah Pocock

Strong surfers are taking advantage of the large waves, even as they are rapidly being pulled across the sea.

The NSW SES has further advised people in Mullumbimby and surrounding suburbs not to enter floodwaters, and to monitor the situation as it could evolve quickly.

Those in Billinudgel and The Pocket have also been warned about possible flash flooding as rain continues.

BALLINA

The NSW SES has advised heavy, intense rainfall is causing flash flooding and road closures across the Ballina Shire.

Residents in Ballina, East Ballina, Lennox Heads and the surrounding towns are warned to watch for possible evacuation orders.

“Properties and road will be impacted,” the SES stated.

“This event may change quickly – we will monitor the situation and update our warnings if the situation changes.”

TWEED REGION

Residents of Murwillumbah, South Murwillumbah and surrounding suburbs have been warned to prepare for rising river levels, and not to enter floodwater as heavy rain continues across the Tweed.

Flooding could also occur in Tumbulgum, with residents also warned to monitor the evolving situation.

Evacuation centres are now open at Kingscliff TAFE, Murwillumbah TAFE and Banora Point’s Salvation Army Hall.

DUBBO

Multiple communities in the state’s Orana region and Central West have been ordered to evacuate, with others ordered to prepare to leave.

The entire town of Warren – an hour and 15 minutes from Dubbo – has been ordered to avoid floodwaters, with major flooding in the Macquarie and Bells River expected to impact the town.

The river is currently 9.44m and rising, with major flooding.

Moderate flooding is possible at Dubbo on Sunday evening, with minor flooding already occurring at Narromine.

The Dubbo shopping district, library area and commercial businesses in low lying areas may be impacted.

“The Macquarie River at Dubbo may peak near 8.3m on Sunday evening with moderate flooding,” the SES states.

The Yabang Gee Bridge (Tracker Riley Cycleway) and Shibble Bridge near Dundullimal Reserve remain closed due to the continued flooding, along with Emile Serisier Bridge, Bligh and Church Sts, Angle Rd, and the Troy Bridge.

Low-lying properties along the Macquarie River at both Dubbo and Narromine may continue to be impacted by floodwater.

River levels are now falling at Wellington, with residents nevertheless warned to monitor the situation near them.

An evacuation centre is open at Dubbo PCYC.

Originally published as Lismore flood watch: ‘Severe thunderstorms’ could see flood waters inundate town