NSW, Queensland weather: Road swallowed by spilling waterfall amid heavy storms

Mammoth rain fall have caused a waterfall to spill over a busy NSW road, as flood and erosion warnings are issued for parts of the state.

As heavy rain continues to fall in northern New South Wales, motorists have been forced to find an alternate route after a waterfall overflowed onto a road.

Waterfall Way at Dorrigo was cut off on Tuesday morning, after Newell Falls spilled over the bitumen, having received 499mm since Saturday morning.

With heavy rain continuing to fall in Northern NSW, motorists travelling on Waterfall Way, Dorrigo, have been left to...

Posted by 9 News Sydney on Monday, December 14, 2020

It comes after flood warnings were issued for northern NSW residents, as a massive rain band continues to make its way down the coast, coupled with the year’s biggest king tide.

Residents of Murwillumbah were put on high alert as the Tweed River flooded following days of wild weather. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

On Tuesday morning, residents within Condong, Tumbulgum and surrounding areas were ordered to evacuate after the Tweed River peaked at Chunderah earlier in the morning.

A host of other rivers in the northern part of the state were expected to reach minor or moderate flood levels throughout Tuesday morning.

Residents in northern New South Wales have been put on flood alerts. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

At least 1000 properties were expected to be affected, including some in Murwillumbah and Tygalgah.

It’s been a soggy start to the school holidays for northern NSW children. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

Rain is continuing to lash hundreds of kilometres of coastline from Byron Bay to Broken Bay, although conditions were set to “generally ease” on Tuesday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Meanwhile, landslides forced the closure of regional southeast Queensland roads, after the region received more than 700mm of rain in three days.

Forecasters have warned there could be even more damage to come, with warnings of flash flooding, dangerous surf conditions, extreme coastal erosion and record tides along southeast Queensland and northern NSW on Tuesday.

A Queensland police officer stands next to an enormous boulder in the Gold Coast hinterland following a landslide. Picture: Queensland Police

Queensland Police said Tamborine Mountain Road, locally known as the goat track, will remain closed for a “significant time” after massive rocks came away from the mountain and crashed onto the street below.

Now that is one BIG rock! pic.twitter.com/Kq3TsNFudJ

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) December 14, 2020

In nearby Currumbin, a landslip on Currumbin Creek Road brought a tree down on Tuesday morning, blocking the road and prompting massive delays.

Wild weather has caused a landslip on Currumbin Creek Road. A tree has landed upright smack in the middle of the road. @sunriseon7 pic.twitter.com/n6yjxB8wmj

— Bianca Stone (@Bianca_Stone) December 14, 2020

The Gold Coast hinterland took a battering during the “cyclonic” weather system that hit southeast Queensland over the weekend, with Upper Springbook receiving more than 800mm of rain in four days.

Rain is expected to ease on Tuesday, but abnormally high tides will continue, with the king tide set to hit just after 9am.

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Entire beaches were covered in foam as a result of the wild weather system. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

On Monday, entire beaches were covered with foam, while others were completely washed away as massive swells, storm systems, and winds lashed the coastline.

Currumbin Vikings SLSC was cut off, as the massive swell flooded the carpark.

Currumbin Vikings Surf Life Saving Club was cut off from the street on Monday as a large swell and heavy rain flooded the carpark. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

Rain is continuing to fall in tourist haven Byron Bay, where another high tide was expected about 9.30, and more flash flooding expected in nearby waterways.

The Bureau of Meteorology was warning coastal and riverine residents to be on high alert with a stretch of the coastline expected to take another battering on Tuesday.

Forecaster Dean Narramore said a number of minor and moderate flood warnings were current, with coastal communities urged to be on high alert as erosion continues.

“This is a major coastal erosion event,” he said.

There are warnings Tuesday tides could be up to 30cm higher than usual king tides could cause further damage to the coastline.

Coastal erosion on Bribie Island is a normal process, however this is the first time waves have broken through the northern dunes.

Eyes are on Bribie Island, after the Pumicestone Passage on the northern end of the island eroded, the first time waves had broken through the dune.

“The northern section of Bribie Island has eroded due to unusually high tides and large waves associated with the weather system,” Parks and Wildlife said in a statement.

“This section has a long history of erosion and is part of the natural process for the area, however this is the first time this section of the island has had waves break through the dune.

“This section is closed to vehicle traffic … Boaties are advised to stay away from the area.”

New South Wales flood warnings:

Tweed River – moderate to major flood warning

• Flood watch for Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers Catchments
  • Richmond River – minor to moderate flooding
  • Clarence River – minor to moderate flooding
  • Orara River – moderate flooding
  • Coffs Coast – minor flooding
  • Nambucca River – minor to moderate flooding
  • Macleay River – minor flooding
  • Hastings River – minor to moderate flooding
  • Manning and Gloucester Rivers – minor flooding
• Wilsons River – moderate flood warning
• Bellinger and Kalang Rivers – minor flood warning