NSW Health has evacuated Ballina Hospital amid rising floodwater levels not seen in the region for 68 years.
Look back on our blog as it happened.
Key events
- Ballina Hospital being evacuated
- Brisbane ferry sunk by flood debris
- Queensland's flood death toll rises
- BREAKING: First confirmed flood death in NSW
- Scott Morrison flags severe weather could travel as far south as Tasmania
- Majority of schools across south-east Queensland to open tomorrow
- Severe weather set to batter NSW coast
- National disaster declarations issued for 17 council areas
- What’s the situation with public transport in Brisbane?
- Will my bins be picked up today?
Live updates
By Phoebe Hosier
Where to find emergency assistance and information
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For emergency assistance, contact SES in NSW or QLD on 132 500.
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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 Caitlyn Davey
Evacuation centres in northern New South Wales
Here is a list of evacuation centres for people fleeing major flooding in northern NSW:
- Southern Cross University Lismore – P Block, Military Road, East Lismore. Only travel via Keen Street, Leycester Street and New Ballina Road via Lismore Heights.
- Casino High School – Queensland Road, Casino
- Woodburn Public School – Woodburn St, Woodburn
- Dunoon Recreation Centre – Cowley Road, Dunoon
- Uniting Hall Coraki – Adams Street, Coraki
- Rappville Public School – Lyons Street, Rappville
- Kyogle Memorial Hall – corner of Geneva Street and Summerland Way, Kyogle
- The Salvation Army Tweed Centre – corner of Leisure and Woodlands Drive, Banora Point
- Murwillumbah TAFE – Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah
- Ocean Shores Country Club – Orana Road, Ocean Shores
- Kingscliff TAFE – Cudgen Road, Kingscliff
- RSL Club Mullumbimby – Dalley Street, Mullumbimby
- Uki Public Hall – Kyogle Road, Uki
- Grafton Racecourse – Powell Street, Grafton
- Xavier Catholic College – Redford Drive, Skennars Head
- Lennox Head Cultural Centre – Mackney Lane, Lennox Head
By Kate Ainsworth
That's it for the blog tonight
Thanks for joining us throughout the day.
We'll be back tomorrow but until then, look after each other and stay safe.
By Kate Ainsworth
Illinbah residents use flying fox to deliver supplies to those isolated
Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor Greg Christensen told ABC Radio Brisbane inventive locals set up a flying fox to deliver much-needed food and supplies to residents cut off by flood damage.
He said the community of Illinbah, with about 200 residents, has been cut-off since last Thursday, but surrounding locals came to their aid by assembling a flying fox to send supplies into the area.
As flooding subsides, authorities have been able to identify some of the damage caused, with about five communities isolated.
He said authorities were working to reconnect those communities within about two days where possible, to have at least emergency access available before forecast storms later this week.
Mr Christensen said authorities believed there were fewer than 40 homes that had some level of flooding inside, and an estimated further 30 would have impact to infrastructure on their properties, but they have not yet determined the full extent of the damage in the region.
He said some of the major roads have reopened, including the Boonah-Beaudesert Road through Couslon, Beaudesert-Nerang Road, and the Cunningham Highway.
Mt Lindsay Road remains closed, while Beaudesert to Beenleigh is expected to reopen tomorrow morning.
Reporting by Kelly Higgins-Devine and Antonia O'Flaherty
By Kate Ainsworth
Are you able to add the Ballina evacuation centres to the list pinned to the top of this blog, I dont believe they are there.
-Dave
Hi Dave, those have just been added to the pinned post.
By Kate Ainsworth
Any way we can get a hi-res copy of the map from BMT Consulting showing the houses in Ballina that will probably be affected. My parents place could be either green or red, so a bit more detail would be very helpful!
-Worried Daughter
Hi there — if you follow this link to the Northern Rivers SES page on Facebook and click on the map, you can see it in better resolution.
Unfortunately the blog compresses photo quality quite significantly, but the map on the Facebook page is more hi-res so you can zoom in and see locations better.
I hope you and your parents are keeping safe.
By Kate Ainsworth
Northern Rivers SES shares Ballina flood mapping
The Northern Rivers SES team have shared this map of areas in Ballina that may be impacted by a predicted flood height of 2.5 metres.
The red dots indicate properties that can expect to be flooded today or tomorrow.
If you or your friends and family are in the flood zone, you can head to either of the two flood evacuation centres: Xavier Catholic College at Skennars Head, or the Lennox Head Cultural Centre.
By Kate Ainsworth
Moreton Bay residents begin recovery efforts
The devastating impact of the floods and storms has meant residents in some of the worst-hit parts of the Moreton Bay region have had to tear down the walls of their homes and rip up the floors as they start recovery efforts.
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery told ABC Radio Brisbane it was "pretty heartbreaking to see one-and-a half metres of water going through a number of these houses," in areas including Deception Bay and Redcliffe.
"We're prioritising those places with our response; we've got clean-up crews ... we're providing skip bins for those properties that have had water go over their floorboards ... we'll take that away from them for free of charge," he said.
"It's inspirational to get out and meet the locals, I've been blown away by the community spirit by many people out there, the resilience they've got to an event and to come together."
He said authorities were now starting to assess the damage in 2000 homes.
Reporting by Kellie Higgins-Devine and Antonia O'Flaherty
By Melanie Vujkovic
Stay safe, everyone!
That's it from me. Handing over to Kate Ainsworth who will keep you up-to-date into the night.
By Melanie Vujkovic
Ballina Hospital being evacuated
Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is evacuating Ballina Hospital due to rising flood waters.
The evacuation is taking place on the advice of the local police commander.
The hospital has 55 general medical and rehabilitation patients, who are being temporarily relocated to Xavier Catholic College through NSW Ambulance, and transport organised by the NSW SES.
Extra NNSWLHD staff have been called in and are working alongside NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and the SES to ensure the safe transfer of all patients, whose families have been notified.
A makeshift emergency department is being set up at Xavier Catholic College for anyone in the community in need of emergency care while the hospital is temporarily closed.
By Melanie Vujkovic
Fears for people unaccounted for in Lismore
There are serious fears for several people who remain unaccounted for in the Lismore area.
Ruby Ashburner told the ABC her friend's father, Stuart Bock, had not been seen since Sunday afternoon when he was walking to the town's CBD to help with sandbagging.
"He just hasn't reappeared yet, and so we're just really worried," a tearful Ms Ashburner said.
Later this evening, NSW Ambulance paramedics were working to free two people from rubble following a landslide at Upper Main Arm, west of Brunswick Heads.
Emergency service workers were called to the scene on Motts Road at 4.15PM and the rescue operation remained underway into the night.
A spokesman said the severity of their injuries is still not known.
By Melanie Vujkovic
Flooding in NSW's Murwillumbah
Here's a pic sent in to us from Sue McElroy in Murwillumbah, in far north-eastern NSW.
By Melanie Vujkovic
By Melanie Vujkovic
Police launch operation targeting looters
It's shocking to think it's come to this, but police have launched a preventative operation to combat property crime in flood affected areas.
Operation Uniform Nash will target looting and property crime offences across flood-impacted areas from Maryborough to the Gold Coast.
Around the clock local patrols have already commenced in flood zone areas after several incidents of looting activity were reported to police in Ipswich.
Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the Queensland Police had zero tolerance for stealing, particularly in times of disaster.
"I cannot overstate how disappointed and disgusted I am that this has occurred in areas where people have had to leave their houses," Commissioner Katarina Carroll said.
"Our message to anyone thinking about stealing from homes or businesses is that you can expect police to track you down and ensure you are held responsible for your actions."
Anyone who observes suspicious behaviour surrounding flooded properties, is urged to immediately contact Policelink on 131 444.
