Low pressure front brings fresh threat of flooding

A new low pressure front is expected to advance eastwards across inland and central NSW early this week, as emergency services in the Northern Rivers and southeast Queensland warn residents to prepare for potential flash flooding.

Dominic Perrottet said emergency services were taking no chances, having established a base camp at Moree to coordinate any possible flood response. Picture: Monique Harmer

A new low-pressure front is expected to advance east across inland and central NSW early this week, as emergency services in the Northern Rivers and southeast Queensland warn residents to prepare for potential flash flooding.

On Sunday, emergency services and ADF personnel doorknocked residents across north and south Lismore, as the Bureau of Meteorology forecast possible flooding along low-lying properties near the Wilson River, which is predicted to reach 9.7m by Monday afternoon.

A major flood warning has been issued for Lismore, while across the border the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast hinterland remain on high alert, with warnings stretching from Gympie to Coolangatta.

While the bureau warned of severe thunderstorms, it said the low-pressure front was expected to weaken as it advanced over northern NSW on Monday, with conditions forecast to ease by Wednesday.

But Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Sunday emergency services were taking no chances, having established a base camp at Moree to monitor conditions and co-ordinate any possible flood response. More than 200 emergency personnel, including SES and ADF, remain on standby across the Northern Rivers region, while evacuation centres have been established in Moama, Deniliquin and Tamworth.

An aerial drone photograph of the NSW town of Moree inundated by floodwaters. Picture: Christop Nagele/Townlife

“By Monday morning the low-pressure system will likely reach northeast NSW, and there will be a chance of severe thunderstorms, but this front is expected to weaken by the morning and into the afternoon,” the bureau’s Dean Narramore said.

Lismore local Sally Flannery, who led the community’s flood response in March this year, told The Australian residents were anxiously preparing for the worst-case scenario, but few people were ready to evacuate.

“Everyone is closely monitoring the Wilson River levels, and there is clearly a very strong ADF and SES presence, but I think most people don’t think it will lead to major flooding like earlier this year,” she said.

Hotelier Kylie Gilmore said most residents in central Lismore had decided to stay and observe any warnings, as the front moves over the town of 44,000.

“I’m not packing yet and no one I’ve spoken to in central Lismore has decided to evacuate because flooding doesn’t seem likely,” she said. “For the moment it’s a wait-and-watch situation – something we’ve all become very used to in this town.”

On Sunday, police warned residents against flying drones over flood-affected areas, saying they could interfere with aerial and ground responses.

Meanwhile, a second system coming from South Australia is expected to bring severe thunderstorms and potential flash flooding to inland NSW, as the front extends east throughout Monday.

The bureau said thunderstorms would hit the Central Coast and Hunter regions by late Monday, with Newcastle and the Greater Sydney area also expected to receive heavy rainfall.

Elsewhere, flood warnings remain in place for residents in northern Tasmania along the North Esk, Macquarie, Meander and St Pauls rivers, while 10 emergency warnings have been issued across the state.