Coffs Harbour weather update: flooding, heavy winds and evacuation warnings

Flooding, landslips and heavy winds are leaving many in Coffs Harbour worried or needing to evacuate. With a wet April forecast, the BOM are turning to new technologies to provide up-to-date weather information.

Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said the government’s worst fears had been realised overnight.

Mrs Cooke said rain will continue to move down the mid north coast over the coming days.

“Rivers are rising very quickly, some areas will see flooding for next 48 hours,” she said.

With heavy rain across already saturated heavy landscapes, flooding has already started occurring in parts Coffs Harbour.

She warned of a similar pattern over April.

“We are still expecting wet periods over the coming months, we may be in this situation in a weeks time,” she said.

This tree had fallen down at Augustine’s school in Coffs Harbour on Wednesday morning.

She said the system has been unpredictable, with some areas being dumped with 430mm despite the forecast predicting as little as 20-40mm.

“We could still see landslips, high winds, trees down in those communities,” she said,

Dean Narramore from the Bureau of Meteorology said it was an unpredictable system, with over 300mm in parts of Dorrigo and Bellingen, which resulted in major flooding at Bellinger.

He said more rain is headed for the Coffs coast, with significant flooding possible.

He warned that even if rain halts, the rivers are full and will still be filling up.

He mentioned integrating high resolution modelling into weather forecasting, stating these systems may provide more accurate, up-to-date weather information.

“If you live on Bellinger rivers, even if the rain stops, the water will make its way into those rivers, with continued river level rises on or near rivers,” he said.

SES Acting Commissioner Daniel Austin said the Coffs Coast is still under threat over the coming days.

“If you are downstream of Lismore, start to prepare,” Mr Austin said.

He predicts strong winds to continue through Wednesday, with powerlines and trees at risk of falling.

Acting Premier Paul Toole said with rivers already full, it won’t take a lot of rain to cause flooding.

An inquiry, due in June has been set up to establish if the SES is undermanned and requires more funding.

They admitted that the heavy rainfall has not been expected, and therefore people should stay up-to-date with weather warnings.

With sirens reportedly not working in Lismore as well as weather gauges broken from previous floods, the SES said they are “working quickly to restore pieces of infrastructure.”

Call 132 500 if you need SES assistance or triple-0 if it is life threatening.