Major flood warnings put Northern Rivers towns on alert

NORTHERN Rivers residents are being urged to heed evacuation orders and prepare for potential flooding as authorities warn the Lismore levee could be breached.

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.

The statement said major flooding was possible at Lismore late Saturday afternoon and evening.

“The Wilsons River at Lismore (AHD) may exceed the major flood level (9.70 m) Saturday afternoon,” the statement read.

“The river level may reach around 10.00 metres late Saturday afternoon or evening with major flooding.

“Further river level rises are possible with forecast rain.”

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.

Saturday was “D-Day” for the weather event, NSW SES Commissioner Michael Wassing said.

“Irrespective of the crossing of the cyclone currently in Queensland, we’re still seeing very strong winds,” he said.

“But more importantly, we’re still seeing very heavy rainfalls and therefore river rises, flash flooding and continued inundation of many areas.”

NSW premier Chris Minns said the next 24 hours would be critical as the weather system moved across the region.

“The message hasn’t deviated, particularly as we move through to the flood part of this natural disaster,” he said.

“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.”

Prime minister Anthony Albanese said communities were “well prepared” but urged residents to remain alert.

“It is important that people do not take this downgrading as a reason for complacency,” Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra.

More than 280,000 homes and businesses have lost power in NSW and Queensland, with telecommunications outages reported in both states.

Six generators from the national stockpile are being sent to Lismore, where the levee is expected to spill later on Saturday.

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.

Mr Albanese expected there would be “lasting mental health issues” from the natural disaster and vowed to provide assistance.

Some 180 Australian Defence Force personnel are on the ground in both states, with more on standby.

SES Flood Safety Advice:

• In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring NSW SES on 132 500.
• Avoid drowning. Stay out of rising water, seek refuge in the highest available place.
• Prevent damage to your vehicle. Move it under cover, away from areas likely to flood.
• Avoid being swept away. Stay out of fast-flowing creeks and storm drains.
• Never drive, ride or walk through flood water. Flood water can be deceptive and dangerous.

For more emergency information, advice, and access to the latest river heights and rainfall observations and forecasts:

• NSW SES: www.ses.nsw.gov.au
• RMS Live Traffic: www.livetraffic.com
• Latest River Heights and Rainfall Observations: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/northcoast.shtml
• Latest NSW Warnings: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/
• Rainfall Forecasts: www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/
• BOM NSW Twitter: www.twitter.com/BOM_NSW

– With AAP