Evacuation orders have been issued for several locations in NSW as heavy rain continues to fall around the state.
Authorities are particularly concerned about the Northern Rivers and Mid-North Coast, while in Sydney, March rainfall records have been broken.
Look back on Wednesday's developments as they happened.
Key events
- North Macksville ordered to evacuate now
- Flood evacuation order issued for Clarence River at Brushgrove and Cowper
- Flood evacuation warning issues for low lying areas of Macksville CBD
- Flood evacuation warning issued for low lying properties in Nambucca Heads
- Flood evacuation warning issued for low lying properties in Kings Point
- Flood evacuation warning Manning River at Croki
- Flood evacuation order issued for low lying properties in Ulmarra
- Flood evacuation order issued for low lying properties in Southgate
- Wilsons River to peak at about 12 metres
- Parts of NSW facing 'difficult 24-36 hours'
- Angry words from Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg
- NSW flood update coming up at 5pm
- Woman feared missing in floodwaters south of Lismore
- BOM issues thunderstorm warning for Coffs Harbour
- Locals told to evacuate Lismore CBD
- SES defends revoking evacuation orders
- 'No-one could have predicted' floods
- Floodwaters have 'overtopped' Lismore levee
Live updates
By David Hirst
Where to find emergency assistance and information
-
For emergency assistance, contact SES in NSW or QLD on 132 500.
-
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
- For the latest weather updates visit the Bureau of Meteorology in Queensland here or in NSW here
- Roads and bridges may be impacted by flash flooding. You can find more information in Queensland here
- Other emergency updates can be found at Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
- If you're not sure what to do when there's a flood, here's the best way to plan
Listen to ABC Local Radio for regular updates:
- ABC Wide Bay on 100.1fm + 855am or stream online
- ABC Brisbane on 612am or online
- ABC Sunshine Coast on 90.3fm Nambour and Gympie 95.3fm or the live stream
- ABC North Coast on 94.5fm or online here
By Jessica Riga
That's where we'll leave our live coverage for tonight
Thank you for joining us throughout the day.
For the latest flood and weather warnings in northern NSW, search on ABC Emergency.
By Simon Smale
ABC News will carry extensive coverage of the floods tomorrow morning
Just a heads up from ABC Breakfast presenter Michael Rowland that extensive coverage will be given to the floods tomorrow morning on ABC TV.
Of course, you can keep up to date with everything happening in your local area on ABC Local Radio.
By Simon Smale
Lismore will need 'a hell of a lot of cleaning'
Mayor of Lismore, Steve Krieg says it's really heartbreaking to walk around the town's CBD.
"It's going to take a hell of a lot of cleaning, and a massive effort from the community and from our volunteer groups and the ADF as well," Mr Kreig told the ABC.
"But really what we've got to do is get in and get the cleaning done because a lot of the buildings have already been stripped out and a lot of the waste has already been removed."
By Simon Smale
Tanya and Dion moved to Lismore six months ago. Now they're without a home for the second time in a month
Lismore's weary residents are finding it hard to stay optimistic amid the chaos of another natural disaster.
By Simon Smale
Follow the NSW SES on social media, or check their website
There are some flood evacuation orders in place across New South Wales, which will be updated across the evening as rain continues to fall.
If you're not already doing so, check out their social media pages and the NSW SES website for up to date information.
Of course, your local ABC radio station will have updated information from the SES regularly, so check out your local station (if you don't know what your local station frequency is, this webpage should tell you).
By Simon Smale
North Macksville ordered to evacuate now
NSW SES is directing people within Low lying properties in North Macksville to evacuate the high danger area and move to higher ground.
The areas affected are:
- Bellevue Drive
- Ferry Street
- Giinagay Way (old Pacific Highway)
- Ferry Street
If you are unable to stay with family or friends, an Evacuation Centre has been established at Macksville Country Club – Wallace Street, Macksville.
By Simon Smale
Flood evacuation order issued for Clarence River at Brushgrove and Cowper
NSW SES is directing people within the low-lying areas of Brushgrove and Cowper areas to evacuate the high danger area by 10:00pm.
Once floodwater passes 3.9 metres on the Brushgrove gauge at Brushgrove and Cowper, roads will begin to close.
The areas affected are:
- Brushgrove and Cowper,
- River Street,
- Donaldson Street,
- Inmon Street,
- Clarence Street.
An evacuation centre has been set up at Maclean Showground, Cameron Street, Maclean.
For more information, listen to your local ABC station and follow NSW SES on social media.
By Simon Smale
Flood evacuation warning issues for low lying areas of Macksville CBD
The SES is warning that residents in the following areas of the following locations that they may need to be evacuated due to rising flood water: River Street, Princes Street, Giingay Way (the old Pacific Highway), Bellevue Drive, McKay Street, Angus Lane, Winifred Street, Kane Street, Partridge Street, West Street, Brunsdon Lane, Station Street, Nambucca Street, Johnson Close, Short Street, East Street and Park Street.
The Nambucca River at Macksville - Princess Street may reach near 2.50 metres around 08:00 pm Wednesday on the high tide, with moderate flooding.
The SES says that residents should monitor the situation and be prepared to evacuate when instructed to do so.
If required, an evacuation centre has been established at Macksville Country Club, Wallis Street Macksville.
For more details, listen to ABC North Coast online or radio: 738 kHz AM Grafton and south, 720 kHz AM Tweed Valley, 94.5 mHz FM Lismore and Northern Rivers, 91.3 MHz FM Bonalbo.
By Simon Smale
Flood evacuation warning issued for low lying properties in Nambucca Heads
The SES is warning that residents in low lying areas of Wellington Drive, White Albatross Holiday Park and the Nambucca foreshore, may need to evacuate due to flood water.
The Nambucca River at Macksville-Princes Street may reach near 2.5 metres at 8:00pm tonight on the high tide.
The SES says that residents should monitor the situation and be prepared to evacuate when instructed to do so.
If required, an evacuation centre has been set up at Nambucca Heads RSL, Nelson Street Nambucca Heads.
For more details, listen to ABC North Coast online or radio: 738 kHz AM Grafton and south, 720 kHz AM Tweed Valley, 94.5 mHz FM Lismore and Northern Rivers, 91.3 MHz FM Bonalbo.
By Simon Smale
Flood evacuation warning issued for low lying properties in Kings Point
The Bureau of Meteorology has predicting possible flooding for the low lying properties in Kings Point areas.
The SES is advising residents in low lying areas that they may need to evacuate if they are in the following locations:
- Sturdee Street
- Joffre Street
- Jelico Street
- Short Street
- Taylors Arm Road
- Tilly Willy Road
The Nambucca River at Macksville - Princess Street may reach near 2.50 metres around 08:00 pm Wednesday on the high tide, with moderate flooding.
The SES says that residents should monitor the situation and be prepared to evacuate when instructed to do so.
If required, an evacuation centre has been established at Macksville Country Club, Wallis Street Macksville.
For more details, listen to ABC North Coast online or radio: 738 kHz AM Grafton and south, 720 kHz AM Tweed Valley, 94.5 mHz FM Lismore and Northern Rivers, 91.3 MHz FM Bonalbo.
By Simon Smale
Reaction from Byron Bay locals
Byron Bay locals have described the flooding in the area as horrendous and say some streets are underwater.
There's been several evacuation orders as widespread heavy rain falls in the already saturated Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast regions.
About 300 millimetres of rain has been recorded in the Byron Bay district in the last 24 hours.
Byron Bay local Mark Wilson says he spoke to some rescue workers who've been up since midnight helping people try to get out of their houses and to higher ground.
"This is the worst I've seen, some local locals - I've only been here 35 years, but I spoke to someone who was here for 60 plus years this morning and he said he's never seen anything like it," Mr Wilson said.
"I just went for a walk into town now four hours after I first went in there and the water is still pretty much the same height.
"Hardly any shops have opened even to start tidying, up the damage, there was probably two or three shops with people just squeeging water out."
By Simon Smale
Flood evacuation warning Manning River at Croki
The SES has issued a flood evacuation warning for residents and visitors to Croki, with the Manning River set to flood.
The SES warns that residents in low lying areas areas, including Barton Street, Ferry Road and Reid Street, are likely to be impacted.
The SES says that residents should monitor the situation and be prepared to evacuate when instructed to do so.
An evacuation centre has been set up at Club Taree, 121 Wingham Road, Taree.
If you are currently in self-isolation due to COVID-19, contact the Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 before leaving your home, where possible.
For more information, listen to your local ABC station, ABC Mid North Coast, online or on 95.5 FM.
Additionally, follow NSW SES on social media.
By Simon Smale
Flood evacuation order issued for low lying properties in Ulmarra
The NSW SES is directing people in Ulmarra to evacuate via the Pacific Highway by 10:00pm.
People in Ulmarra, Tyndale Road, Bostock Road, Somerville Road, Rathgar Lodge are likely to be impacted.
Once floodwater passes 5.5 metres on the Ulmarra gauge at Ulmarra roads will begin to close.
An evacuation centre has been set up at South Grafton High School Auditorium, Tyson Street, South Grafton.
If you are currently in self-isolation due to COVID-19, contact the Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 before leaving your home, where possible.
For more details, listen to your local ABC radio station, ABC North Coast online or radio: 738 kHz AM Grafton and south, 720 kHz AM Tweed Valley, 94.5 mHz FM Lismore and Northern Rivers, 91.3 MHz FM Bonalbo.
By Simon Smale
Flood evacuation order issued for low lying properties in Southgate
A number of flood evacuation orders have been issued by the New South Wales State Emergency Service.
People in low lying properties in Southgate have been told they must evacuate by 10:00pm.
Once floodwater passes 5.4 metres on the Prince Street gauge at Grafton, roads will begin to close.
An evacuation centre has been set up at South Grafton High School, Tyson Street, South Grafton.
If you are currently in self-isolation due to COVID-19, contact the Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 before leaving your home, where possible.
For more details, listen to your local ABC radio station, ABC North Coast online or radio: 738 kHz AM Grafton and south, 720 kHz AM Tweed Valley, 94.5 mHz FM Lismore and Northern Rivers, 91.3 MHz FM Bonalbo.
By Simon Smale
Heavy rain in Ballina
Can someone check with BOM - is it correct Ballina just had 56 mm in 30 minutes?
-Ian
Hi Ian,
The BOM reported that between 5:00pm and 5:30pm Ballina Airport recorded 55.8mm of rain.
By Simon Smale
NSW Police name woman missing in floodwaters from Lismore
NSW Police have named a woman who has been reported missing in floodwaters near Lismore since yesterday.
Anita Brakel, aged 55, is described as being of Asian appearance, 150cm to 160cm tall, thin build, with black and red long hair.
Police and volunteers recommenced their search and rescue operation this morning in the vicinity of Wyrallah Road.
Police urged anyone who may have seen a 2017 white Holden Captiva station wagon, with NSW registration YHS 51F, in the greater Lismore area to contact police immediately.
Police also reminded people within flood-affected areas to never enter, walk, ride or drive through floodwaters.
By Simon Smale
The Dangar Falls near Dorrigo in full flow
ABC reporter Kemii Maguire has posted this video of the Dangar Falls, which are near Dorrigo, west of Coffs Harbour in NSW.
By Simon Smale
By Simon Smale
'It's been a tough night': BOM forecaster explains why the rain event in NSW was so hard to predict
Predicting the weather is notoriously a difficult task, but getting the severe weather forecast right can be even harder.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Neil Bennett was part of the BOM team trying to keep northern NSW residents up-to-date as a severe weather system wreaked havoc across the region over the past 24 hours.
He said it had been "a tough, tough night" spent trying to predict rainfalls.
