Evacuation order issued in northern NSW as Tweed River flood water rises

An evacuation order is now in place for 1000 properties in northern NSW as floodwaters rise and wild weather wreaks havoc.

An official Evacuation Order has been issued for Tweed River at Condong, Tumbulgum and surrounding areas in northern NSW, with residents told to flee the “high danger area” via Tweed Valley Way.

The order to “evacuate now” was issued late Tuesday morning as flood waters began to close low-lying roads, and the Tweed Valley Way to the north of Tumbulgum.

Around 1000 properties are believed to be affected, including those on the Tweed Valley Way north of Murwillumbah, Condong and Tumbulgum and the low-lying areas of Tygalgah and surrounding areas.

RELATED: ‘Stay away’: Queensland island torn in two

There is flooding around Murwillumbah as wild weather batters south-east Queensland and north-east NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Steve Holland

“Once flood water begins inundating the area, road access, water, sewerage, power, phones, and internet may be lost,” the order reads.

“If you remain in the area you will be trapped, and it may be too dangerous for SES to rescue you.”

The order comes after BOM predicted severe flooding at the Tweed River at South Murwillumbah, the Tweed River at Tumbulgum and surrounding areas following heavy rainfall and storms in the area over the last few days.

⚠️ Flood Warning updated for #Tweed River. River levels peaked at #Chinderah this morning. Flood peak expected at #Tumbulgum at noon. See https://t.co/Qu5qrGI0kK for details and updates; follow advice from @NSWSES. #NSWFloods pic.twitter.com/wBTCPpA7tr

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) December 14, 2020

Advice for those in the affected areas includes, seeking out higher ground or visiting the Evacuation Centre at Wollumbin High School and staying up to date with latest information through the Northern Rivers NSW SES Facebook page and your local Bureau of Meteorology.