NSW floods: La Nina to bring continued rainfall as weather cools down

Keep those umbrellas close, the La Nina weather pattern isn’t easing just yet according to climate experts.

Settle in for another wet few months Sydney — the La Nina weather pattern isn’t easing just yet, according to climate experts.

Activities like kids sport could face being rained out this year, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with “above average rainfall” tipped to continue through autumn and winter.

Forecaster Jenny Sturrock said while La Nina was beginning to ease, higher rainfall totals should still be expected in the cooler months.

“La Nina increases the chance of above average rainfall in Australia‘s east during autumn,” Ms Sturrock said.

Swimmers in Bronte pool could see the sea baths closed more often in the cooler months, if the BOM’s predictions of extra rainfall come true. Picture: John Grainger

“We could see the autumn period still being influenced by increased rainfall … which could absolutely impact (kids sport).”

She added that weather experts “hoped” the continued wet conditions would move away from flood-stricken areas like NSW’s north.

“The hope is any increased rainfall wont hit in areas which have already seen saturation, like the Northern Rivers. It’s hoped the rain will shift away from there but there is no guarantee,” Ms Sturrock said.

A squall comes ashore at Bondi dropping heavy rain sending people running on Thursday morning. Picture: John Grainger

It comes as another 500 Lismore residents have taken refuge in evacuation centres after the Wilsons River peaked at 11.4 metres on Wednesday night.

About 30,000 people are impacted by 20 evacuation orders and 11 evacuation warnings.

Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke the weather event was heading south and would impact a number of communities in the east coast.

“We’ve had some pleasing developments overnight with the peaking of the Wilsons River at 11.4 metres, which was below what we were bracing for late yesterday afternoon, of course being 12 metres,” she said.

People walk through floodwater in Byron Bay on Wednesday. Picture: Getty

“But nonetheless, those evacuation centres are there. And they are a refuge for people who may not feel safe in their home, or who are the subject of an evacuation order or warning and don’t have anywhere else to go at this time. ”

Almost 27,000 locals have been evacuated during the second wave of flooding. Picture: Getty

“On the Clarence River, we’re seeing the peak around the grassland area as we speak right now at major flood levels … The community of Grafton and communities and towns further south of Grafton downstream and the Clarence River will need to be prepared for moderate to major flooding as the water makes its way downstream of the Clarence River,” he said.

“The rain has eased but we’ll still see coastal showers today and tomorrow and we’ll see some gusty winds particularly around the coasts.

“The threat now from Campsie all the way down to the Victorian border for our coastal communities … where we could see tides approach the highest astronomical tide of the year.”

State Emergency Service Acting Commissioner Daniel Austin said the threat of riverine flooding was not over.

“Over the last 24 hours the New South Wales SES has responded to just over 100 requests for assistance, and 11 flood rescues,” he said.

Swimmers braved the waves in Bronte pool about before lifeguards closed it. Picture: John Grainger

For Sydney, wet conditions will continue, with “shower activity and possible storms” about on Thursday.

“Were expecting 10 to 20mm of rainfall today falling across Sydney and we do expect showers to continue into Friday between 20 to 30mm,” BOM forecaster Jenny Sturrock said.

“Unfortunately we are experiencing a showery flow due to the trough and low pressure system sitting offshore … Saturday will also see a shower or two, but the good news is Sunday will see an easing in the trend.”

A severe weather warning for high tides and dangerous surf is in place from the Mid North Coast down to NSW’s Far south coast, stretching from Kempsey down past Eden to the NSW/VIC border.

Wave heights may exceed five metres, according to the BOM, and Port Macquarie, Taree, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong and Batemans Bay are expected to be worst affected.

People battle the rain on Elizabeth Street in the Sydney CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Meanwhile water is beginning to recede in Lismore but major flooding is expected to worsen in parts of the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed after 2.30am on Thursday that waters on the Wilsons River at Lismore had peaked following renewed torrential rain in the area.

During the devastating flooding last month, river heights reached more than 14.4 metres within the northern NSW city.

⚠️ Major #Flood Warning issued for the #WilsonsRiver at #Lismore. A major flood peak of 11.40 m was seen 5 pm Wed 30 March. River levels to remain above the levee height Thur morning. See https://t.co/AdztI2rqg1 for details and updates; follow advice from @NSWSES#NSWFloodspic.twitter.com/PKEtTg6Jsp

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) March 30, 2022

Hollingsworth Creek at South Lismore on the Bruxner Highway.

Ms Sturrock said while it was “good news” no further rainfall was expected in the Northern Rivers, communities on the Mid North Coast were now in the firing line for heavier falls.

“Unfortunately the Mid North Coast is expecting significant rainfall today, river systems there already have major flooding,” Ms Sturrock said.

“The Richmond, Clarence and Bellinger Rivers, those catchments already do have major flood warnings current, but we’re looking at rainfall between 30-50mm widespread across the Mid North Coast region.

“Some areas like Barrington Tops could see up to 80mm especially with thunderstorms expected.”

Pictures: NSW lashed by more wild weather

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Coraki and Woodburn are also being watched closely by the SES today as floodwaters seep down from Lismore.

“We’re at the forefront, well prepared for the water to move downstream, there is a lot of intel and mapping underway to see where to warn residents,” an SES spokesman said.

“Those are the main areas expected to be impacted … we have already issued more than 20 evacuation orders and 11 evacuation warnings, and we won’t hesitate to issue more if necessary.”

The SES carried out more than 45 flood rescues in the 24 hours between 5am Wednesday and Thursday. Picture: Nicholas Rupolo

More than 911 calls for help were received by the SES across the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast communities in the 24 hours to 5am today, with the bulk of inquiries coming from Ballina, Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour.

“There have been a significant number of flood assistance requests, whether that‘s for sandbagging from volunteer members or assisted evacuations … a lot of work has been done, but a significant stretch of the coast has been impacted … we’re averaging three to four (rescues) for each locality,” the SES spokesman said.

It comes as the search continues for missing aged care nurse Anila Brakel, who disappeared in Lismore on Tuesday evening.

About 26,000 NSW residents have been evacuated across the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast so far since the renewed flooding began- most recently low lying residents in Southgate, North Macksville, Ulmarra, Brushgrove and Cowper were told to leave last night.

It comes as some residents were prematurely given the all clear to go home on Tuesday and had to be evacuated again, and evacuation alarms in Lismore malfunctioned.