After heavy rain causing flash flooding in Sydney and later the Illawarra region, the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales is now seeing high rainfall levels and some flooding. Further heavy rainfall is expected and Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology issued a Severe Weather Warning.
The small towns of Main Arm and Uki in New South Wales are said to be cut-off by flooding of access roads.
A dramatic rescue involving around 8 horses had to be made by State Emergency Services (SES) in Murwillumbah. It is believed the horses became trapped by flood water. Flood warnings for some rivers in the area were issued, including the Tweed River at Murwillumbah, Wilsons River at Lismore and Brunswick River at Mullumbimby. By 1pm (13:00) local time, the Brunswick River and Marshalls Creek had reached their flood peaks. around the same time, levels of the Tweed River at Murwillumbah appeared to be falling.
Rainfall totals in 24 hours between 27 and 28 March 2014:
- Upper Wilsons Creek 285mm
- Clarrie Hall Dam, Uki 224 mm
- Mullumbimby Creek 180mm
- Goonengerry 176mm
New South Wales Government Flood Update – 28 March 2014, 12:22PM AET
Rain has eased in the Northern Rivers area but flooding along the Richmond and Wilsons rivers later today is still expected. At this stage it is not possible to predict the flood peak because of uncertainty over how much more rain will fall. The Wilsons River at Lismore will exceed minor flood level (4.2 metres AHD) around midnight tonight and reach 5.8 metres AHD early Saturday with minor flooding.At Coraki it will reach 3.9 metres early Sunday with minor flooding and at Bungawalbin Will reach 3.0 metres early Sunday with minor flooding
Sources: ABC; New South Wales Government
