Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast Flood Watch

Residents across Northern NSW Coastal Rivers from the Tweed to Nambucca are urged to prepare for severe weather with heavy rain of 75-150mm expected with higher isolated falls possible over the coming days into early next week.

The Bureau of Meteorology have issued a Flood Watch for the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and down to the South Coast. Minor flooding is possible on the Tweed, Rouse, Richmond, Orara Coffs Coast Rivers and moderate flooding on the Wilsons, Bellinger, Kalang, and Nambucca Rivers. There is also the possibility of flash flooding across roads.

Mark Somers, Incident Controller and NSW SES Northern Zone Deputy Controller, is asking the community to avoid driving through flooded roads:

“When we get this heavy sort of rain, there is the chance we might get some flash flooding. Flash flooding means you might get water pooled on roads and you need to be careful when driving. It might cause your car to stall and be washed off roads if flooding is fats moving. There might also be other things like damage to the roadway and things hidden in the water. “

“Don’t drive through floodwater, there is nothing that is more important than getting home safely. If you drive through floodwater you may place yourself and others, including those we may send to help you, at risk.”

NSW SES are urging people to plan their trips, drive to road conditions and to take care driving in areas with low lying causeways. People who live or work along rivers and streams should monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop.

Communities are urged to prepare their homes and businesses and clear their gutters and re-supply their home emergency kit with fresh batteries for their torches and portable radios.

NSW SES volunteers are on standby to assist communities and additional resources have been deployed to areas likely to be impacted by the severe weather event.

To keep up to date with information visit the NSW SES website www.ses.nsw.gov.au, follow NSW SES on Facebook or listen to your local radio station. Check www.livetraffic.com.au for the latest road and traffic updates.

/Public Release. View in full here.