Coffs Harbour weather: flood updates as heavy rain falls

The potential for a perfect storm of rain systems has Coffs Coast emergency services on alert. Here’s why.

It’s feared Coffs Harbour will be wedged between two major rain systems, with a potential deluge exceeding what has been forecast.

State Emergency Service Coffs Harbour deputy commander of operations, Ian Horncastle, said the Mid North Coast could be impacted by the system tracking south from the Northern Rivers and from an offshore East Coast Low.

Mr Horncastle said the situation was “not great”.

“We are getting what was expected and I think we are going to end up getting more than what was expected,” he said.

Flood water laps at homes on Taloumbi Road, Coffs Harbour on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: Nathan Trivett

Mr Horncastle said the rain from the East Coast Low had the potential to have an effect “for some time”.

He said the SES and other agencies had assets in place across the Mid-North Coast to respond, and he expected the first calls for help would come this afternoon “if we get a few hours of this torrential rain”.

“The Orara (River) is going to give us some problems, particularly around Glenreagh and Nana Glen,” Mr Horncastle said.

Urunga Foreshore Drive and golf course underwater on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: Chris Knight

Farmers along the Orara River at Coramba were desperately moving cattle to safety on Tuesday afternoon as they braced for a second flood in a matter of weeks but “the ground is so wet, cattle are sinking” said one farmer Eliezer Robinson.

Coramba farmer Eliezer Robinson moved his cattle to higher ground on Tuesday in preparation as the waters of the Orara River continue to rise threatening to cut off parcels of land on his property.

Heavy rainfall has led to minor flooding at Coffs Creek with the Bureau predicting it could reach near 3.20 metres on Tuesday evening.

Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 140mm are possible, reaching up to 200mm over coastal areas and ranges.

Locally intense rainfall leading to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is possible with thunderstorms and six-hourly rainfall totals reaching up to 300mm.

Paul Boutris took this photo of serious damage to Newee creek Rd about 100 meters after Richards Rd. Half the road has fallen down the valley.

The deluge reached south to the Nambucca Valley midmorning, where the renowned Island Golf Course was on tenterhooks after being almost completely inundated by floodwater 12 months ago.

Floodwater was already starting to impact a number of roads in Coffs Harbour by late morning, especially in the Bray Street area.

To the north the Lismore CBD and surrounding areas are being ordered to evacuate before 4pm on Tuesday with the risk of the levee overtopping