NORTHERN Rivers residents are being urged to heed evacuation orders and prepare for potential flooding as authorities warn the Lismore levee could be breached.<\/p>\n
At 4:04 pm Saturday, the SES said the Wilsons River was at 9.29 metres and rising, above the moderate flood level of 7.2 metres.<\/p>\n
The statement said major flooding was possible at Lismore late Saturday afternoon and evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Wilsons River at Lismore (AHD) may exceed the major flood level (9.70 m) Saturday afternoon,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe river level may reach around 10.00 metres late Saturday afternoon or evening with major flooding.<\/p>\n
\u201cFurther river level rises are possible with forecast rain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Overnight, Tropical Cyclone Alfred was downgraded to a tropical low, but millions of residents across NSW and Queensland have been told to prepare for dangerous conditions, including flash flooding, heavy rain, and intense winds.<\/p>\n
Saturday was “D-Day” for the weather event, NSW SES Commissioner Michael Wassing said.<\/p>\n
“Irrespective of the crossing of the cyclone currently in Queensland, we’re still seeing very strong winds,” he said.<\/p>\n
“But more importantly, we’re still seeing very heavy rainfalls and therefore river rises, flash flooding and continued inundation of many areas.”<\/p>\n
NSW premier Chris Minns said the next 24 hours would be critical as the weather system moved across the region.<\/p>\n
“The message hasn’t deviated, particularly as we move through to the flood part of this natural disaster,” he said.<\/p>\n
“That is, never drive through floodwaters, never put yourself in danger. It is the most common way of people losing their lives during these flooding events.”<\/p>\n
Prime minister Anthony Albanese said communities were “well prepared” but urged residents to remain alert.<\/p>\n
“It is important that people do not take this downgrading as a reason for complacency,” Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra.<\/p>\n
More than 280,000 homes and businesses have lost power in NSW and Queensland, with telecommunications outages reported in both states.<\/p>\n
Six generators from the national stockpile are being sent to Lismore, where the levee is expected to spill later on Saturday.<\/p>\n
There have been 29 flood rescues in NSW, mainly involving people driving through floodwaters, and more than 16,000 people are under evacuation orders, the SES said.<\/p>\n
Mr Albanese expected there would be “lasting mental health issues” from the natural disaster and vowed to provide assistance.<\/p>\n
Some 180 Australian Defence Force personnel are on the ground in both states, with more on standby.<\/p>\n
SES Flood Safety Advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n