Yamba joins list of communities cut off by flood waters

Flood waters have isolated the popular tourist town of Yamba.

Yamba Road is closed at the Palmers Channel South Bank Road Intersection. due to flood waters.

*UPDATE* 2PM:

Clarence Valley Council have clarified their position on the closure of Yamba Road.

The road is currently closed at several locations, and they said there has been misinformation that the road will be open at low tide. This is not the case.

According to council, The BOM have forecast that the flood peak will not be reached until at least Thursday morning. With the higher tides coming at the same time, it is unlikely that the road will be opened until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest.

Due to increased flooding, access in and out of Yamba will remain closed until further notice. There has been...

Posted by Clarence Valley Council on Tuesday, March 23, 2021

EARLIER:

Yamba residents have now joined several other coastal and inland neighbours already cut off from services due to flood waters in the Clarence Valley.

On Tuesday afternoon, residents were warned by authorities flood waters were expected to isolate the popular tourist town due to flood waters impacting Yamba Road.

By Wednesday morning residents woke to Yamba Road being cut off at Palmers Channel South Bank Road intersection and flood waters reached the major level at Grafton and moderate levels further downstream.

Yamba SES unit commander George Szekely said despite the isolation it was business as usual for most residents.

“Flooding is just a part of living in the Clarence Valley; everyone’s used to it,” he said.

“We did about three transports this morning over to Iluka and Ashby for residents needing to go to hospital for their dialysis, and there have been plenty of re-supplies for people needing medication.”

Turners Wall 10.22 am

Posted by Theresa Edwina Brook on Tuesday, March 23, 2021

However, Mr Szekely said it was disappointing people were still driving through flood water.

“There have been around five to six people in this area rescued in the last 24 hours because they drove through flood water,” he said.

“We can’t stress enough to avoid doing that as they don’t know what’s underneath or if the road has been washed away.”

One such incident occurred on Tuesday when a piece of road near the Wooli Hotel collapsed due to the enormous flow of water inundating the area.

PHOTOS: Clarence River hits major flood level and rising

Full list of road closures, cancelled services

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Earlier in the week, the neighbouring coastal communities of Iluka, Minnie Water and Wooli as well as Brushgrove and Coutts Crossing were cut off due to roads becoming inundated by flood water. Parts of Lawrence have also been impacted by rising water levels.

On Tuesday afternoon, Southgate residents were ordered to evacuate and move livestock to higher ground by 8pm that night as floodwaters crept onto roads and properties.

Anyone isolated by flood water and needing supplies, such as food or medication, is urged to call 132 500.

beer garden at the Harwood Hilton under water on Wednesday, 24th March, 2021 with the Harwood bridges shrouded in fog in the background.