Photos from Lismore and Byron Bay show floodwater carnage, resident blasts SES response

As the Northern Rivers town of Lismore is once again hit with a deluge of rain, one resident has blasted the “disappointing” response from SES and BOM.

A Lismore resident has shared her frustrations at the Bureau of Meteorology and NSW State Emergency Service

The Northern NSW town of Lismore has once again been hit with catastrophic flooding for the second time this month.

Appearing on Today, local woman Nancy Casson took aim at the state services after malfunctioning sirens and flood alarms failed to go off in Lismore and Byron Bay.

Lismore resident Nancy Casson expressed her frustrations with NSW SES and BOM. Picture: Channel 9/ Today.

In the very early hours on Wednesday, Lismore residents had to be re-evacuated, despite previously being told it was safe to return home. Although Ms Casson’s home was safe from rising flood waters, her business – Sisley’s Motel – was inundated.

“We had an evacuation, a non-evacuation and then an evacuation again. I was so confused,” she said.

“I don’t know what is lacking in their instructions to us. I don’t know why they’re constantly getting it wrong.”

While Ms Casson’s home was safe, her business had been flooded. Picture: Channel 9/ Today.

While Ms Casson acknowledged the NSW SES were most likely getting their instructions from the BOM, she said she was “incredibly disappointed” at the multiple mix ups.

“They’re obviously doing what’s instructed at a higher level, so the instructions are coming to us from somewhere and that place is getting it wrong, every time,” she said.

“The next time that the BOM get it right, will be the first.”

Lismore suffered major flooding for the second time in a month. Picture: Media Mode.

A McDonalds in Lismore was submerged in floodwaters. Picture: Media Mode.

During the recent spate of flooding, water levels on the Wilsons River peaked at 5pm on Wednesday, recording a height of 11.4m. Floodwaters were merely a few metres lower than the 14.4m recorded a few weeks ago, when Lismore was hit with catastrophic floods.

Despite the criticisms, SES acting commissioner Daniel Austin defended their response and said “no one could have predicted” the amount of rainfall which occurred in the past week.

Mr Austin confirmed that their response was based on consultation local groups and advice from BOM.

Although they initially thought it was safe for residents to return home, he said they had to re-evacuate residents after a “significant thunderstorm” led to an “extreme flash flooding event”.

Stream more news on the floods with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 >

The Wilsons River peaked at 11.4m on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: Media Mode.

This comes after the town was hit with catastrophic flooding earlier this month. Picture: Media Mode.

On Thursday morning the Bureau of Meteorology issued more major flood warnings for several areas in the Northern Rivers area of NSW, including Lismore’s Wilsons River and Tweed River.

“River levels along the Wilsons River at Lismore are slowly receding but are likely to remain above the height of the levee during Thursday morning with major flooding,” they said.

The BOM also implored all residents to stay out of rising waters and to seek refuge in the highest available place. Motorists have also been repeatedly told to never drive into flood waters.

Homes, businesses, cars and roads, were once again inundated with flood water. Picture: Media Mode.

Acting NSW Premier Paul Toole shared fears the weather event could happen again in April. Picture: Media Mode.

Several photos from Lismore showed the town covered in a deluge of flood waters. Picture: Media Mode.

As of Thursday morning, the BOM said the river levels along the Wilsons River are slowly easing. Picture: Media Mode.

Motorists have been told to never drive into flood waters. Picture: Media Mode.

Woman reported missing

On Wednesday, 55-year-old Lismore woman Anita Brakel was reported missing after she was believed to have been trapped in her white Holden Captiva wagon at 10pm the night before.

An extensive search failed to locate the aged care nurse and her car, however police say they will resume the search once floodwaters recede.

Anita Brakel has been described by authorities as being of Asian appearance, 150cm to 160cm tall, with a thin build and black and red long hair. Picture: NSW Police.

Flooding could reoccur in April

Acting NSW Premier Paul Toole shared fears that the recurrent flooding could repeat itself in another few weeks time, with wet weather also forecast for April. He also said that the waterlogged ground means it would only take a small amount of rainfall to create riverine or flash flooding.

“We may be in this situation, coming back again, in a few weeks’ time,” he said on Wednesday.

“April is expected to be quite wet in many parts of the state.”

Evacuation orders were issued for several towns on the NSW Northern Rivers region. Picture: Dan Peled/Getty Images.

Flooding on Fletcher Street Byron Bay. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Danielle Smith

A man wades through floodwaters in Byron Bay. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Danielle Smith.

Yesterday, the main street of Byron were seen submerged. While floodwater began subsiding on Wednesday afternoon, residents shared the impact of the deluge of rain with the NSW warning residents to leave the “CBD immediately”.

The Federal MP for Richmond, which covers the Byron, Tweed and Ballina LGAs urged affected residents to evacuate as soon as possible.

“I have contacted local disaster authorities advising them we urgently need evacuation centres in Byron Bay and Ballina,” she tweeted on Wednesday morning.

“I am aware that as of 4:30am there have not been evacuation orders issued overnight except for Lismore but IF YOU ARE IN DANGER, ANYWHERE IN THE AREA, GET OUT NOW.”