Lismore, Dubbo flood watch: SES urges caution, body of woman found in floodwaters
The body of a woman has been found in floodwaters following a multi-agency search in the state’s central west, as a number of regional communities remain on flood alert.
Lismore
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The body of a woman has been found following a multi-agency search in the state’s central west.
A 28-year-old woman went missing about 11pm on Sunday, after a car was swept off a causeway into floodwater at Cooyal Creek at Gulgong, near Mudgee.
Just before 10am today, the body was located and while it is yet to be formally identified as the 28-year-old, police believe it to be the missing woman.
On Sunday, the driver of the car, a 45-year-old man, and two male passengers – aged 43 and 26 – escaped and made their way to safety.
The woman reportedly managed to free herself but was missing from then on.
Officers from the Orana Mid-Western Police District, assisted by the SES, conducted land and water searches as the three men were taken to Mudgee police station.
A report is now being prepared for the coroner.
It comes as regional communities in parts of NSW remain on flooding alert, as the SES urge caution and vigilance.
As rains continued to lash the state, residents in the state’s central west and Northern Rivers have been told to watch and act and not enter floodwater.
It comes as parts of Dubbo were ordered to evacuate and Lismore warned to prepare for “dangerous flash flooding” on Sunday night.
About 9pm on Sunday, the SES put out a prepare to evacuate alert for South Lismore due to predicted rising floodwaters.
The SES also issued cautions for the Tweed Coast region, areas along the Nambucca River, Deniliquin, and Tumbulgum and Condong, about 9.45pm Sunday.
No alerts have been issued by the SES since.
LISMORE
Residents in Lismore CBD have been warned to prepare to evacuate with the potential for flash flooding.
The SES warning was issued on Sunday night.
“Consider the consequences of road and bridge closures and water over roads and make alternate arrangements for work, children, and travel,” the NSW SES stated in its latest warning.
“There is a possibility of embedded thunderstorms throughout today and tonight,” said
Lismore City SES unit commander Lucy Loloa on Sunday.
“With the embedded thunderstorms tonight we might see flash flooding and evacuation routes closing early.
“(The Bureau of Meteorology) predicted 9.7m is the major flood warning level where it switches from moderate to major.”
Parts of South Lismore have now been warned to prepare to evacuate.
These areas include:
• Streets located south of Leycester Creek and north of Hollingsworth St including;
Meadow Dr and surrounds
• Streets between Wilson St and Ostrom St
• Streets between Casino St and Newbridge St
• Union St, Ballina Rd, Folyes Rd, Taylors St, Norco Ln, Franks St
“You should monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate so that you can safely evacuate when instructed to do so by NSW SES,” the SES states.
An evacuation centre is being set up at Southern Cross University, but Ms Loloa said it is a place of last resort and people should look to stay elsewhere with friends or family if they can.
Sandbag stations have been set up by Lismore SES, with sand available at Nesbitt Park in South Lismore, above the Workers Golf Club on Barham St East Lismore and the Workers Sports Club on Oliver Ave in Goonellabah.
“People can make their own sandbags, but they do need to bring their own shovel,” Ms Loloa said.
DUBBO
Multiple communities in the state’s Orana region and central west have been ordered to evacuate, with others ordered to prepare to leave.
A watch and act warning for Warren – 75 minutes from Dubbo – is in place with major flooding in the Macquarie and Bells River expected to impact the town.
The river is currently 9.44m and rising.
The Dubbo shopping district, library area and commercial businesses in low lying areas may be impacted by flooding.
The Yabang Gee Bridge (Tracker Riley Cycleway) and Shibble Bridge near Dundullimal Reserve remain closed due to the continued flooding, along with Emile Serisier Bridge, Bligh and Church Sts, Angle Rd, and the Troy Bridge.
Low-lying properties along the Macquarie River at both Dubbo and Narromine may continue to be impacted by floodwater.
River levels are now falling at Wellington, with residents nevertheless warned to monitor the situation near them.
An evacuation centre is open at Dubbo PCYC.
MUDGEE
Due to widespread flooding across the Mudgee region, some businesses have been hit the hardest.
Mudgee’s Blue Wren Farm, recently transformed into a restaurant six week ago, was forced to close down business on Sunday.
General Manager Simon Somervaile said it was “disappointing” to shut down on the restaurant’s “busiest day”.
“We were fully booked for lunch and dinner, so just moving all those reservations and disappointing [customers],” Mr Somervaile said.
“A few people ended up travelling from far and wide [to] come here, because we couldn’t get onto them, so it was a bit of annoyance.”
Despite the inconvenience, Mr Somervaile was pleased the property wasn’t affected with the business operations returning today.
“We were lucky ... there was no damage or such,” he said.
“It was [just] financially, the loss of sales yesterday ... this is the first time we’ve had to close because of the floods.
“Two or three weeks ago, they [Mid-Western Regional Council] didn’t actually cut off the main road to our property.
“We’re just thankful it was only one day and [customers] are fairly understanding.”
BYRON AND MULLUMBIMBY
At Byron Bay’s main beach, the high tide has reached the rock wall – which was previously destroyed by major erosion during storms in December 2020.
The NSW SES has further advised people in Mullumbimby and surrounding suburbs not to enter floodwaters, and to monitor the situation as it could evolve quickly.
Those in Billinudgel and The Pocket have also been warned about possible flash flooding as rain continues.
BALLINA
The NSW SES has advised heavy, intense rainfall is causing flash flooding and road closures across the Ballina Shire.
Residents in Ballina, East Ballina, Lennox Heads and the surrounding towns are warned to watch for possible evacuation orders.
“Properties and road will be impacted,” the SES stated.
“This event may change quickly – we will monitor the situation and update our warnings if the situation changes.”
TWEED REGION
Residents of Murwillumbah, South Murwillumbah and surrounding suburbs have been warned to prepare for rising river levels, and not to enter floodwater as heavy rain continues across the Tweed.
Flooding could also occur in Tumbulgum, with residents also warned to monitor the evolving situation.
Evacuation centres are now open at Kingscliff TAFE, Murwillumbah TAFE and Banora Point’s Salvation Army Hall.
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