Kempsey Shire Council has starting pumping in Stuarts Point to remove surface water.
This pumping is happening to remove water that may seep into the ground, not because the groundwater table has reached the surface.
With the ongoing intense rain it is expected that the groundwater will rise to high levels.
As part of a wider warning, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood watch for the Macleay River with the potential for Minor Flooding.
In response, Kempsey Shire Council commenced preparations over the weekend for emergency pumping including additional staffing provisions, installing pumps and pipes and maintaining contact with key agencies.
The groundwater table graphs have risen 0.11m in the last 9 hours. The reading at 3pm was 4.4m AHD up from 4.29m at 6am.
Levels are currently approximately 1.17m below the high seen in March and April. That peak was 5.57m AHD.
Stuarts Point experienced extremely high groundwater levels following the March flood with dwellings saved from damage through the use of above ground pumps.
Groundwater levels fall at a very slow rate, however while they are still at an elevated level, they fell consistently in the recent extended drier period.
Council is monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as required.
