Bureau of Meteorology cancels severe weather warning as minor flooding impacts northern NSW

The BOM has canned a severe weather warning for the Northern Rivers – but some flooding is shutting roads and cutting off low lying areas as downpours continue.

The Northern Rivers is copping quite a bit of rain. Picture: Lismore SES

Weather boffins have canned a severe weather warning for the Northern Rivers – but some flooding is being recorded across the north of the state, shutting roads and cutting off low lying areas.

Branch Creek near The Channon about 1pm on Monday. Picture: Cheryl Johnston

Isolated and “minor flooding” is impacting the Tweed, Brunswick, Richmond, Wilsons, Orara and Bellinger river catchments, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

The BOM issued an update on the weather situation in northern NSW, and chiefly the Northern Rivers, just after 4.30pm on Monday.

While “heavy rainfall has eased about the Northern Rivers” and “severe weather is no longer occurring”, the bureau still warned of “moderate rainfall” and ongoing showers in already drenched catchments.

“The immediate threat of severe weather has passed, but the situation will continue to be monitored and further warnings will be issued if necessary,” the BOM states.

“No further warnings will be issued for this event.”

A causeway at Possum Creek. Picture: Mark Devine/Facebook

The bureau has recorded some significant rainfall totals in the 24 hours to 4pm on Monday:

– 230mm at Tuckombil

– 224mm at Evans Head

– 220mm at Goonengerry

– 194mm at Ballina Airport

– 194mm at Yamba

Earlier, the bureau warned minor flooding was possible at Lismore on Monday evening.

Lismore and other Northern Rivers communities are still working to recover after historic floods smashed the area in early 2022.

The BOM states moderate to heavy rainfall in parts of the Wilsons River catchment from Sunday into Monday “caused rapid creek and river level rises”.

Rainfall in northern NSW from 9am to 5pm on Monday. Picture: BOM

Further rain late into the evening “may cause further river level rises“ and the BOM advised the situation was being monitored and necessary alerts would be issued as needed.

The BOM said just before 2pm the river was “at 1.39 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (4.20m)”.

Soon after, a wider alert covered the other rivers, including to the south, but concern eased as the severe weather nosedived in seriousness.

A coastal wind warning was also cancelled for Byron on Monday afternoon.

The bureau urged people living or working along rivers and streams to monitor the latest forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground if needed.

It’s expected more advice will be issued by the BOM overnight.

Authorities urge people to keep away from rising water, fast-flowing creeks and storm drains ad to seek refuge in the highest available place if a flood hits.

Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater and prevent damage to vehicles by moving them undercover and in areas unlikely to flood, if safe to do so.

The State Emergency Service advises people should keep clear of fallen power lines, beware of fallen trees and debris on the road and stay vigilant to stay on top of developing situations.

For emergency assistance, phone the State Emergency Service (SES) 132 500. For life threatening emergencies, phone triple-0 immediately.

‘Very dynamic situation’: Warnings as rain pelts northern NSW

Earlier: Experts have issued a severe weather warning and minor flood watches for the Northern Rivers as continual and often heavy rain continues to fall across northern NSW.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warned about 10.30am that people in parts of the Northern Rivers forecast district could expect heavy rain to continue across the region on Monday.

Picture: BOM

The warnings have been aired as the Northern Rivers is still recovering from the deadly floods of early 2022 – the worst on record in the area.

On Sunday, forecasters predicted isolated minor flooding would impact the Tweed, Richmond and Wilson from the start of the week.

Kingscliff in the Tweed was hit by about 102mm in the 24 hours to 11.35am, according to the BOM, while Mullumbimby in the Byron Shire copped 140mm and 141mm was dumped at Tuckombil, near Lismore.

Alstonville in the Ballina Shire received 151mm, Evans Head in the Richmond Valley Council area recorded 157mm and Yamba in the Clarence was soaked by 112mm in the downpours.

Road closures have been reported by local councils at various locations in northern NSW, including Lismore, Tweed and Yamba. Some councils, like Tweed Shire Council, have flood monitoring cameras available to see how key roads are coping in wet weather.

Picture: BOM

“A weak trough will develop along the northern coast later today and Monday,” a BOM statement read.

“Showers and potentially heavy rainfall is forecast, which may result in river level rises along the Northern Rivers from Monday and into next week.

“Isolated minor flooding is possible along the Tweed, Richmond and Wilsons Rivers from Monday, with forecast rainfall. Catchments in the flood watch are relatively wet.”

The BOM warned of moderate but persistent downpours in the north “with isolated heavier falls possible in the Northern Rivers”.

Picture: Lismore SES

“Localised river level rises and flash flooding are likely within the areas of heaviest rainfall, with isolated minor riverine flooding possible,” the statement read.

“This is a very dynamic situation, with high levels of uncertainty in the timing and location of the heaviest falls.

“The Bureau is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updated advice as required. Catchment specific warnings will be issued if and when required.”

Catchments likely to be affected include Tweed and Rous Rivers (minor flooding), Wilsons River (minor flooding) and Richmond River (minor flooding).

Picture: Lismore SES

Earlier, the BOM stated flooding was “no longer expected” to impact the Orara River, Bellinger and Kalang rivers.

The BOM warned: “This flood watch means that people living or working along rivers and streams must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop.
“Flood Warnings will be issued if minor flood level is expected to be exceeded at key sites along the main rivers for which the Bureau of Meteorology provides a flood warning service.

“Severe weather warnings will be issued or updated if very heavy rain is forecast or observed.”

The BOM website provides weather warnings and flood advice.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]

Originally published as Bureau of Meteorology cancels severe weather warning as minor flooding impacts northern NSW