Lismore evacuated over fears Wilson River could overtop levee

A dynamic weather system is currently producing heavy rain.

The CBD levee may overtop and evacuation may be required within the next 12 hours.

The Evacuation Order remains in affect for North and South Lismore.

A reminder to those residents who may have returned that these areas may be impacted by flooding.

Prepare now and act early - roads will be cut quickly.

Weather Situation: A developing low pressure system off the northeast coast is driving a moist and unstable airmass over northeast NSW. An upper trough is enhancing thunderstorm development tonight, leading to intense rainfall.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Mullumbimby, Byron Bay, Ballina and Alstonville.

Heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.

Flood Watches and Warnings are current for parts of northeast New South Wales. For more details, please visit www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings.

120mm has been recorded at Alstonville in the three hours to 11:15pm.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.

* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.

* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.

* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.

* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.

* Unplug computers and appliances.

* Avoid using the phone during the storm.

* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.

* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.

* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

UPDATE 5.20pm: The SES has advised that it is SAFE TO RETURN for Lismore CBD, Lismore Basin and low lying areas of East Lismore and Girards Hill.

It's been a wild day and while you should remain watchful the flooding has not been as bad as a month ago.

UPDATE 2pm: An Evacuation Order has been issued for the Lismore CBD, Lismore basin, and low lying areas of Girards Hill.

Residents must evacuate by 4pm.

People evacuating can go to the SCU evacuation centre on Military Rd.

Floodwater was expected to reach major flood level at 4pm, approaching the levee height later in the evening.

There is a severe weather warning in place for the Northern Rivers, that the Bureau of Meteorology said could bring heavy rain and flashing flooding which may lead to flash flooding during Tuesday.

UPDATE 12.30pm: Flood levee gates are closed and there is an eerie and empty air of expectation in downtown Lismore right now.

The city and its nervous residents are bracing for an expected flood peak this afternoon.

Heavy rainfall across the catchment of the Wilsons River overnight Monday into Tuesday has caused rapid river level rises in the tributaries upstream of Lismore.

While conditions are not too bad right now, further rainfall is forecast for the remainder of Tuesday and Wednesday.

If the rainfall continues to intensify during Tuesday, major flooding may occur Tuesday afternoon with levels reaching near the Lismore Levee Height (10.60 m) Tuesday evening. Levels are expected to remain below those experienced in late February 2022.

A Severe Weather Warning has been issued for the Northern Rivers and parts of the Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands Forecast District.

The situation is being closely monitored and revised predictions will be provided if necessary.

UPDATE 10:30am: The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of heavier rainfall for Lismore this afternoon.

"It's still very wet, but at this stage it looks like the heavier rainfall is to the south," BOM Duty forecaster Helen Reid said.

"There's been over 250mm through that northern part of New South Wales to 9am this morning."

"The rivers are on the rise, even if there is a bit of a lull in the rainfall over the next few hours, all the warnings are still in place.

"There is still room for another 50-60mm to come in tomorrow."

Further rainfall is forecast for the remainder of today and Wednesday.

The SES advise the Wilsons River was likely to exceed the Moderate flood level of 7.2m at midday, may exceed the Major flood level of 9.7m at about 4pm, and reach the levee height of 10.6m this evening.

However, they warn further rises are possible if heavy rain continues to fall.

UPDATE 10am: The SES is expected to issue an evacuation order for the CBD very soon.

With rainfall of 100 to 200mm in some parts of the catchment, river heights are expected to go very close to the top of the levee at 10.6m.

An SES spokesperson told ABC radio the evacuation order would be issued with the advice that anyone in the CBD would need to vacate by 2pm today.

UPDATE 8.15am: Lismore SES has responded to its second car rescue from flood water in a little over an hour.

The SES said: "Not enough time to make a cuppa and our Flood Rescue team is back responding to another car in flood water".

"Again, do not drive into flood water."

The SES said the Wilsons River is likely to exceed moderate flood level of 7.2m at 11am, and may exceed the major flood level of 9.70m about 2pm. The river may reach 10.6m, the levee height, later on Tuesday.

UPDATE Tuesday 7am: Lismore SES's Flood Rescue team is responding to a car in water this morning.

With heavy rainfall overnight, there may be water over the road in low lying places and with more rain expected today the last thing the SES needs is be rescuing stranded motorists.

Drive to conditions and remember if its flooded, forget it!

Meanwhile, last night NSW SES Lismore City Unit members, along with #ADF troops from 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment from Adelaide, have been on the streets of North and South Lismore, doorknocking residents who have been advised of the Evacuation Order, and visiting CBD addresses to advise of the Evacuation Warning.

Many people have made safe decisions and headed to the available evacuation centre at Southern Cross University or with friends and family.

Please remember to keep an eye on the BoM and heed any further warnings. Call 132 500 for flood or storm-related assistance, or 000 if the situation is life threatening. If it's flooded, forget it. Help us help you by being safe as the rain continues.

UPDATE 7.16pm: An Evacuation Order has been issued for low lying areas of North and South Lismore.

People should evacuate to higher ground via Union St and Ballina Rd.

An Evacuation Warning has been issued for people in the Lismore CBD, East Lismore and Girards Hill.

This is for residents and visitors to these areas to start taking action now to prepare for possible flood impacts and evacuation.

The Bureau of Meteorology has predicting possible flooding along the Wilson River for the Lismore CBD Basin, and the low lying parts of East Lismore and Girards Hill and surrounding areas.

NSW SES is advising residents in low lying areas of the following locations that they may need to evacuation due to rising flood water. These areas include:

. The Lismore Tourist Caravan Park and adjacent businesses along Dawson Street.

Businesses in the in the Lower Lismore CBD Basin areas of Dawson Street, Woodlark Street and Larkin Lane Lismore and Brewster St.

. The low lying properties near Ballina Road and Keen Street intersection, and the low lying areas around East Lismore and Girards Hill.

Low lying properties may experience impacts due to flash flooding and/or riverine flooding.

For more information:

. Listen to your local ABC radio station,

. Follow the SES on Facebook at /NSWSES or our website at www.ses.nsw.gov.au

. Latest Weather, Warnings, Rainfall and River heights: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/

. Road Closures: www.livetraffic.com.au or http://www.myroadinfo.com.au

. Lismore City Council https://disaster.lismore.nsw.gov.au

UPDATE 5.00pm: One month after floodwater overtopped the levee in Lismore, residents are being warned more major flooding could overtop the levee tomorrow.

The SES warned moderate to major flooding was possible early on Tuesday morning, reaching 10.6m by Tuesday afternoon.

The levee overtops in Lismore between 10.4-10.6m.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the Wilsons River at Lismore (AHD) is likely to exceed the minor flood level (4.20 m) overnight. River rises to the moderate (7.20 m) and major flood levels (9.70 m) are possible from early Tuesday morning. With forecast rainfall, river levels may reach around 10.50m to 10.6m during Tuesday afternoon.

Heavy rainfall is forecast across the Wilsons River catchment from late Monday into Tuesday and Wednesday, which may cause moderate to major flooding from early Tuesday at Lismore. If the rainfall intensifies overnight Monday into Tuesday, major flooding may occur earlier on Tuesday with levels reaching near the Lismore Levee Height (10.6 m) Tuesday afternoon. Levels are expected to remain below those experienced in late February 2022.

Further heavy rainfall is forecast over the next 24 to 48 hours which may result in further rapid river level rises and localised flash flooding. A Severe Weather Warning has been issued for the Northern Rivers and parts of the Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands Forecast District.

The situation is being actively monitored and updated flood watches and warnings will be issued where necessary over the coming days.

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/

For the latest rainfall and weather forecasts see www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/

For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood

For the latest road closures see https://disaster.lismore.nsw.gov.au/dashboard/overview

For more information on the Flood Watch Service: http://www.bom.gov.au/.../floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.nsw.gov.au

For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500

For life threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

UPDATE 4.42pm: The SES told people in low lying areas in North and South Lismore to be prepared to evacuate.

An SES Evacuation Warning has been issued, meaning people need to be prepared to leave.

People in the following areas should now prepare to leave. An Evacuation Order will be issued if an evacuation is required.

In South Lismore, these areas include:

. The area bordered by Casino Street, Bruxner Highway, Caniaba Street and the Lismore Airport.

. Norco Lane, River Road, Elliott Road, Foleys Road, Taylor Street, Wardell Street and Riverview Park.

. The northern end of Caniaba Street, Meadow Drive, Charlton Avenue and Scott Place

In North Lismore, areas include:

. Winterton Parade

. Pitt Lane

. Pitt Street

. Wotherspoon Street

Low lying properties may experience impacts due to flash flooding and/or riverine flooding.

Storm and flood impacts may interrupt essential services such as electricity, phones, internet, water and sewerage.

People in these areas need to closely monitor weather and road closures and make informed decisions early based on individual circumstances.

Residents should monitor the situation and be prepared to evacuate when instructed to do so.

A Flood Evacuation Order will be issued by the NSW SES if and when evacuations are required.

Where to go if Evacuation is required: Wherever possible, people should go and stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements. If you are unable to, an Evacuation Centre has been set up at Southern Cross University, Military Road, Lismore.

What you need to do:

Simple things you can do now:

. Lift possessions and important items above the predicted flood height.

. Take pets, essential items, warm clothes, medicines, insurance documents and valuables

with you.

. Leave as early as possible to avoid restricted roads.

. Share this information with family, friends and neighbours and help others where possible

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500. In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.

If an evacuation is required, an Evacuation Order will be issued.

People in low lying areas need to watch the weather forecasts and warnings and act immediately if told to leave.

UPDATE: The Bureau of Meteorology warns moderate to major flooding is possible for Lismore from Tuesday.

Heavy rainfall is forecast for parts of the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast from Monday into Tuesday and Wednesday. Catchments in this region remain saturated following significant flooding in recent weeks and this rainfall has the potential to result in Moderate to Major flooding along the Richmond, Wilsons, Orara and Bellinger Rivers from Tuesday.

There is also potential for Minor to Moderate flooding for parts of the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter, Hawkesbury Nepean and North Western New South Wales Rivers.

A Severe Weather Warnings is current for the Northern Rivers and parts of the Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands. Severe thunderstorm warnings will be issued as required.

Flooding is possible in the catchments listed from Monday into Tuesday. Flood classes (minor, moderate, major) are only defined for catchments where the Bureau provides a flood warning service. The situation is being actively monitored and updated flood watches and warnings will be issued where necessary over the coming days.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Tweed and Rouse Rivers - minor to moderate flooding

Brunswick River and Marshalls Creek - minor flooding

Wilsons River - moderate to major flooding

Richmond River - moderate to major flooding

Clarence River - minor to moderate flooding

Original story: It's the last thing our saturated region needs, more heavy rain, but that's what has been forecast for the Northern Rivers from later on today.

Floodwater in the Wilsons River in Lismore is still receding following record flooding on February 28, and the catchment is saturated, increasing the risk of further flooding.

The Bureau of Meteorology is warning a coastal trough is expected to deepen over northeastern NSW causing heavy rainfall with embedded thunderstorms.

Lismore mayor Steve Krieg said he had met yesterday with the SES, police and BOM for an update on the weather situation.

"The message coming through is that there is potential for moderate to major flooding. This means preparedness is the key in the event of river rises'" Cr Krieg said.

"The forecast is for heavy rain and storms over coming days.

"There will be an increased SES and police presence to help residents and businesses who may be affected.

"Can I urge everyone to follow the directions given, stay calm and prepare early," the mayor said.

"All my thoughts and prayers."

The SES advises sandbags are available from 9am today at the following locations:

Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is forecast to develop over northern parts of northeast New South Wales later today and into early Tuesday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 140 mm are possible, reaching up to 180 mm over coastal areas and ranges.

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

A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.

Heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.

A Flood Watch is current for parts of northeast New South Wales. For more details, please visit www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings.

BOM said catchments in the region remain saturated following significant flooding in recent weeks and this rainfall has the potential to result in further flooding. Minor to moderate flood levels are a risk depending on how the weather system develops.

Locations which may be affected include Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Lismore, Yamba, Grafton, Coffs Harbour and Dorrigo.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.

* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.

* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.

* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.

* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.

* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.

* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.