Fears of major flood event as heavy rainfall forecast into next week

Thousands of Australians have been warned to prepare for major flooding with heavy rainfall tipped to wreak havoc across several states in the coming days.

Thousands of people have been evacuated amid fears of another major flood event in northern NSW as residents and emergency crews battled rising waters across several states.

Widespread rain and thunderstorms impacting eastern Australia and causing flash flooding and river rises were forecast to continue into next week.

Already, at least five people have died in flood waters in NSW and Victoria, prompting further warnings to follow emergency advice.

“Severe thunderstorms have the potential to produce heavy to locally intense rainfall, causing significant flash flooding, likely road closures and a risk to life and property,” the Bureau of Meteorology said in a statement.

Thousands of residents have been told to prepare for the worst with heavy rainfall forecast to create flooding across large parts of the country. Picture: David Caird

A coastal trough moving south from Queensland had emergency services in northern NSW on high alert. Picture: FRNSW

A low pressure system over Queensland was expected to move slowly southward, maintaining heavy falls over southeast Queensland before extending into northeast NSW on Sunday.

NSW emergency services minister Steph Cooke said the system due to hit northern NSW was described as a “high impact event”.

The Bureau was predicting potentially major flooding at Lismore, which was devastated by a historic flood event earlier this year.

“The low pressure system may continue to affect the northern and central coasts of NSW on Monday and Tuesday with the threat of widespread heavy rainfall … as well as potential flash flooding and riverine flooding,” the Bureau said.

“Major flooding that affected much of northern Victoria earlier this week is largely easing in catchments outside of the Murray River, although forecast rainfall may cause some minor to moderate flooding to redevelop.”

Rainfall in Brisbane was forecast to increase overnight and peak on Sunday morning.

NSW emergency services minister Steph Cooke said the conditions were described as “high impact event”. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences to the families of the five people killed by flood waters.

“Flood warnings now stretch continuously from Queensland to Victoria and extend into Tasmania,” he said.

The Prime Minister announced that from Saturday night a further 150 Australian Defence Force personnel would be deployed in NSW, with 100 in the state’s north and 50 on standby in the Hunter Region.

Already 350 ADF personnel have been rolled out across Victoria to assist with the situation there.

“I do say to Australians in these areas, please follow the advice. If you are asked to evacuate, please do so. Do not drive through flood waters,” Mr Albanese said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged Australians to follow official advice and as hundreds of ADF personnel were deployed to assist. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sharon Smith

In Queensland overnight, isolated falls of close to 300mm were recorded as a coastal trough brought heavy rainfall and thunderstorms to the northern Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay areas.

Thousands of megalitres of water were released from the Wivenhoe Dam west of Brisbane, which is the biggest in the state, to reduce water levels and avoid a future flooding disaster.

Acting police chief superintendent Christopher Stream said the releases would continue and were affecting some roads.

A number of coastal councils including the Brisbane City Council were on alert and undertaking early preparations alongside emergency services.

“The greatest concern for us is those localised heavy falls and that flash flooding. People are going to be out on the road so that’s the greatest concern for us there,” he said.

“When you see that localised flash flooding, people should not rely on warnings for that, because those riverine areas – rivers, creeks – can rise very, very quickly.”

An 85-year-old woman was rescued by police after her vehicle was swept off a flooded causeway at Bauple on the Fraser Coast on Friday afternoon.

Residents in Echuca, Victoria battled rising waters from the Murray River. Picture: David Caird

Additional flood rescue crews from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) were deployed to impacted areas across NSW on Saturday.

Highly-trained swift-water rescue technicians will make up Strike Team “India” in the state’s Northern Rivers region to respond to the developing situation there.

Another Strike Team Juliet will be positioned in Dubbo to assist the SES-led flood response.

Several crews are already operational at Moama, Barham, Warren and Moree.

Specialised Fire and Rescue teams were deployed to high risk areas across the state. Picture: FRNSW

Mr Albanese said from next week additional financial support would be available for Tasmanian small business and producers in 17 local government areas in the form of grants for up to $25,000, including an upfront payment of $2500.

“My government will continue to work with the states and territories and we stand ready to support those Australians who are suffering the most,” he said.

As of Friday, more than $14.6m in disaster assistance has been provided to around 18,000 people impacted by floods in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Mr Albanese thanked ADF personnel and emergency service workers he said were showing “the best of the Australian character.”

“We see Australians helping each other out in a time of crisis and we see, in some examples as well, Australians putting themselves at risk in order to help their fellow Australians,” he said.