LISMORE is experiencing its worst flood on record.
Wilsons River reached 14.36 metres on Monday afternoon and it is expected to rise further in coming hours.
The previous record of 12.27 metres was recorded in February, 1954.
Emergency Sevices Minister Steph Cooke said the flood event was unprecedented.
"These conditions are different to anything you might have experienced before," she said.
Ms Cooke said her heart went out to impacted communities and said emergency services were working tirelessly to move people to safety.
"Let me state, unequivocally, our priority is about saving lives at this time," she said.
"All of our emergency services, lead by the SES, are focused entirely on people, rescuing people, saving lives."
LATEST NEWS:
Some massive landslips have rendered many of roads around Lismore impassable or dangerous at the very least.
This road between Bentley and Kyogle was strewn with debris after an embankment collapsed.
UPDATE:
Historic Corndale Hall has been washed away in the floods sweeping the Northern Rivers of NSW.
The hall, which is a centrepiece of the valley community between Lismore and Clunes, got washed off its stumps. All that's left is the base for the toilet block seen in images posted to the hall's Facebook account.
Administrators have asked for people to look out for it downstream.
EARLIER:
LISMORE is preparing for its worst flood on record.
The Lismore levee was overtopped early Monday morning and record flooding above the March 1976 peak and February 1954 levels is occurring.
The Wilsons River level exceeded the March 1974 peak (12.15 metres) about 5am Monday and may reach around 14.2 metres Monday afternoon, which is above the record flood level of February 1954 (12.27 metres).
Dangerous and rapid river level rises have been observed along the tributaries upstream of Lismore.
Heavy rain is falling over the Wilsons River catchment and is forecast to continue during the remainder of Monday morning.
The highest flood on record peaked at 12.46 metres in 1890.
An evacuation centre has been established at Southern Cross University and many residents have retreated there.
Other residents, including elderly residents and young families, are awaiting rescue on their rooftops.
One such resident is Eddie Lloyd. She posted a picture on Facebook, stating:
"The rain just won't stop. We have not had a break in rain for hours and hours. My brain can't fathom the gravity of tragedy from this flood. All our animals are dead. My heart is breaking for Lismore. We are 15m up in the loft but only one metre left until the water reaches us. I called the SES so we will wait but we have our canoes if we need to get away."
Police also witnessed a man disappear in floodwaters while calling for help on the corner of Uralba and Brewster streets on Sunday afternoon.
Police went to offer assistance, but lost sight of him.
A search ensued but was called off due to the dangerous conditions. It was hoped the search may resume today, but that is now unlikely.
