Northern NSW, South East Qld told to brace for more heavy rain after recent floods

Australia’s flood nightmare is returning to parts of Queensland and NSW which were already ravaged by extreme weather.

Life-threatening flash flooding and intense rainfall could hit some of Australia’s most disaster-ravaged areas, with another dangerous weather system looming.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe weather warnings for heavy rainfall for the Northern Rivers, Northern Tablelands, parts of the Mid North Coast in NSW as well as South East Queensland.

A man and his dogs have been found dead inside a flooded ute in Kingsthorpe, just outside of Toowoomba, becoming the first victims of the latest flooding crisis.

Queensland Police water rescue crews arrived on to the scene after members of the public reported the ute floating in floodwaters.

A woman was found alive inside the ute and was taken to hospital in a stable condition for treatment.

An emergency warning has been issued for the Queensland town of Dalby after more than 160mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Western Downs Regional Council issued the alert at 5.10am, with Myall Creek expected to reach above minor levels early on Monday morning and further rises expected throughout the day.

People in low-lying areas should warn neighbours, secure property and belongings and prepare to move to higher ground.

Another five rescues have been carried out by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) water crews as people became trapped on the roofs of their cars in Darling Downs

Fifteen calls have been made to the QFES for assistance throughout the morning.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has advised locals that saturated soils may mean flooding for low-lying areas around the capital city.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg (second from left) has told Sunrise that residents are nervous as the NSW town braces for more rain. Picture: Steve Krieg

Residents are advised to warn neighbours, secure property and belongings and prepare to move to higher ground.

Mr Schrinner said free sandbags were available at council depots in Darra, Lota, Morningside, Newmarket and Zillmere.

Eleven schools have been forced to close across the west and south of Toowoomba.

The highest falls have been recorded just west of Dalby at Bowenville where 106mm fell, at Pomona on the Sunshine Coast with 121mm, and south at Black Mountain with 106mm.

Parts of Brisbane have recorded just over 30mm, with the heaviest falls coming just after midnight. The bureau has forecast six-hourly rainfall totals of more than 180mm for some areas, with the potential for landslides and flooding.

NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns said response crews were in position and doorknocking homes ahead of severe weather warnings in northern NSW.

Mr Kearns told Today that residents were being warned that areas untouched in the recent floods were potentially at risk in the coming days.

“Just because you weren’t impacted last time doesn’t mean you won’t be impacted this time,” he said.

“People are pretty nervous to be honest with you,” Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg told Sunrise on Monday morning.

“Four weeks of cleaning up after the record flood that we‘ve just experienced and then to get the news of the weather event that’s coming for us.

“We don’t need to go through this again.”

Lismore faces at least another three weeks of clean-up.

“Unfortunately, with this latest weather that’s coming through, some of our rubbish transfer stations are right in the firing line of potential flooding, so we’ve got to evacuate those facilities today and tomorrow.”

Mr Krieg said tradies were desperately needed to begin rebuilding homes that had been stripped down to foundations, but further flooding had put works on hold.

Lismore was inundated during recent floods. Picture: Toby Zerna

Thunderstorms are expected for Monday and Tuesday, with warnings that heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding on Monday afternoon.

A flood warning has been issued for several parts of northern NSW, including Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Lismore, Yamba, Grafton, Coffs Harbour and Dorrigo.

“Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is forecast to develop over northern parts of northeast NSW later today and into early Tuesday,” the northern NSW warning says.

“Locally, intense rainfall leading to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is possible, with thunderstorms with six-hourly rainfall totals in excess of 180mm.”

The rain over the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast is expected to continue over the first half of the week.

Catchments in the region are already saturated after being smashed by recent floods.

“We have seen flash flooding and fatalities occur (during the recent floods) with only moderate falls,” BOM meteorologist Jackson Browne said.

“And with heavy-to-intense falls, this risk is very significant for flash flooding.”

There have been massive falls over parts of NSW over the past few days, including 180mm at Wauchope, near Port Macquarie, on Friday, and Alstonville, east of Lismore, copped 200mm on Saturday.

Up to 70mm is predicted for Lismore on Monday, with falls of 40mm to 100mm expected on Tuesday.

Flash flooding in Wauchope on Friday. Picture: Facebook/Sue Martin

The NSW SES has warned that these regions are at risk:

* Tweed and Rouse Rivers – minor to moderate flooding

* Brunswick River and Marshalls Creek – minor flooding

* Wilsons River – minor to moderate flooding

* Richmond River – minor to moderate flooding

* Clarence River – minor flooding

* Orara River – minor to moderate flooding

* Coffs Coast – localised flooding

* Bellinger and Kalang Rivers – minor flooding

* Nambucca River – minor flooding

* Hastings River – minor flooding

* Camden Haven River – minor flooding

* Manning and Gloucester Rivers – minor flooding

* Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter River – minor flooding