News

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is advising residents at Lismore and surrounding areas to prepare to evacuate as moderate riverine flooding is possible on Sunday 29 September.

Watch and Act (Prepare to Evacuate) Warnings have been issued for the following locations:

• Lismore outside levee and surrounding areas
• Lower North Lismore and surrounding areas
• Woodlawn Street and Bangalow Road Lismore

Full details of the warnings can be viewed at www.ses.nsw.gov.au

The Wilson’s River at Lismore is currently at minor flood level but is rising. It is expected to peak on Sunday.

If the moderate flood level is reached, some properties will be isolated by flood water.

NSW SES Incident Controller Superintendent Joanna Jones said NSW SES volunteers and emergency service partners had been door knocking residents in the area during Saturday evening.

“You should monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate so that you can safely evacuate if instructed to do so by NSW SES. Wherever possible, you should prepare to stay with family or friends or make other accommodation arrangements,” Superintendent Jones said.

The warning comes following moderate and heavy rainfall over the Wilson’s River catchment since Friday morning. Rain intensified during Saturday, with a rain system stalling over Lismore for several hours.

The NSW SES is also concerned about flash flooding because of heavy rainfall and damaging winds which has led to more than 260 incidents during the day along the North Coast and Northern Rivers.

For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami, call NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).