Red Alert as landslide closes Yamba Main Beach

A landslide has cut off Yamba Surf Club hampering rescue efforts, as flood waters surround the town. But people are helping in other ways despite dwindling fuel and supplies.

A landslide at Pilot’s Hill, Yamba is hampering Surf Life Saving rescue attempts for flood affected residents.

Yamba Surf life Saving Club President Joe Dougherty said it has affected the club’s ability to attend call-out events.

“We got tasked for something at Palmers Island and we couldn’t go,” Mr Dougherty said.

“The road that runs down to the beach is closed and not safe and definitely not drivable,” he explained.

This leaves the club members with no access to get the inflatable raft boats out of the building and up the hill.

“We can’t do patrols at the beach.

“It’s a danger to members,” Mr Dougherty said.

Yamba Surf Life Saving Club Life Member, Jim Dougherty said on Tuesday after the rain they identified the edge of the cliff face had fallen away and there were some cracks in the track.

“The biggest problem is part of the main road collapsed and about halfway down the sewer line is cracked and broken,” he said.

“It’s been a big flood and long slow peak and we have to ride it out.”

Clarence Valley Council are waiting on geotechnical advice and the roads to open to rectify the situation.

The sinkhole at Marine Parade, Yamba appeared after rain battered the coast line in the 2022 floods.

Yamba itself has been cut off from major thoroughfares making essential items such as fuel and groceries few and far between. Combine that with homes being inundated with flood water and some with no electricity times are extraordinarily tough.

But long time local, drone photographer Kris Thomsen said Yamba’s community spirit is strong.

“People band together in a crisis and its been amazing to see people put their hands up and roll their sleeves up,” he said. People are helping each other clean up, some places are offering free coffee and petrol stations are opening intermittently so drivers can get fuel for around town.

But supplies in the isolated town are dwindling.

“There has been lots of panic buying and people trying to do whatever they can to get supplies to cover themselves for the few days.

“It’s a waiting game to see what items you can get to see you and your family through.”

Carrs Drive at Yamba still covered in water on Wednesday morning as residents start cleaning up.