Heavy rain in the Lower Macleay River catchment has caused a rapid rise in river levels overnight.
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As of 10.40am the Bureau of Meteorology has re-issued a minor flood warning for Kempsey.
Rain appears to have eased since 6am but the Macleay River at Kempsey is likely to reach the minor flood level of 4.5m on Friday afternoon.
An average of 86 millimetres of rain has been recorded during the past 24 hours to 6:00am Friday over the Macleay River catchment. Further rain is forecast for the next 24 hours, and at this stage it is not possible to predict flood peaks because of uncertainty over how much more rain will fall.
Heavy rain is expected to continue over the rest of Friday over the Mid North Coast and parts of the Northern Tablelands, with pockets of intense rainfall from thunderstorms or local topography.
A strong high pressure system over the southern Tasman Sea is directing southeasterly winds into a trough along the northern NSW coast, generating rain and some isolated thunderstorms. Heavy rain is expected to persist through most of Friday over the Mid North Coast, extending to the adjacent eastern ranges. A Severe Weather Warning is current for the Mid North Coast and parts of the Northern Tablelands. This weather system has the potential to cause local overland flooding as well riverine flooding from Friday onwards. Flood Warnings are current for the following catchments: Bellingen and Kalang, Nambucca, Macleay, Hastings, Camden Haven and Manning. For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/
What we are expecting: Flood water may start to impact low lying areas, roads, bridges and causeways in and around Kempsey and the lower Macleay.
Latest River Heights for the Macleay River:
- Georges Creek – 3.16m at 9am – rising
- Bellbrook – 3.33m at 9.29am – falling slowly but could rise further
- Toorooka – 5.02m at 9.42am - falling
- Turners Flat – 5.43m at 8.00am – rising
- Sherwood Bridge – 5.58m at 9.41am - rising
- Kempsey Traffic Bridge – 3.31m at 9.41am – rising
- Belmore River Entrance – 0.38m at 9.40am – rising (tidal influence)
Should river heights continue to rise residents need to consider the impact of potential isolation.
People in areas likely to be impacted by flooding need to consider the following:
• Refraining from driving or walking through flood water
• The impact of possible road closures and flood isolation on work, family and educational commitments
• Monitoring emergency warnings and severe weather updates on local ABC radio, NSW SES Mid North Coast Facebook Page and Bureau of Meteorology website
• If your property is at risk of inundation, please raise moveable items, such as furniture, as high as possible onto benches or tables, placing electrical items on top
• If you live in a low-lying area and are advised by an emergency services officer to evacuate, please do so
• Securing outside belongings and before leaving; turn off the power, water and take essential medicines and clothes with you
For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500.
In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.
Roads affected by flooding: Bellbrook, Toorooka, Temagog, Turners Flat and Sherwood Bridges are all closed. Dungay Creek causeway is closed. Gladstone Street, West Kempsey railway underpass is closed. Queen Street, South Kempsey is closed Wide Street, West Kempsey is closed Saleyards Road, North Kempsey is closed Euroka Road/Theresa Street at Euroka are closed Maria River Road is closed Mines Road is closed due to bridge damage/debris Crescent Head Road at Rudders Lagoon remains closed. Level is falling slowly and will be reviewed at 1.00pm Loftus Road is open There may be water over or adjacent to other roads – proceed with caution River levels Georges Creek – 3.16m at 9am – rising Bellbrook – 3.33m at 9.29am – falling slowly but could rise further Toorooka – 5.02m at 9.42am - falling Turners Flat – 5.43m at 8.00am – rising Sherwood Bridge – 5.58m at 9.41am - rising Kempsey Traffic Bridge – 3.31m at 9.41am – rising Belmore River Entrance – 0.38m at 9.40am – rising (tidal influence) Flood gates on Kinchela Creek, Belmore River, Euroka Creek and Christmas Creek are closed Flood relief gates at Kinchela Creek and Belmore River are closed The next report will be issued by 2pm Friday 23 March.
For more information:
• Road information, for local roads contact Council or log onto http://midnorthcoast.myroadinfo.com.au
• Road information on State Government managed roads go to the Live Traffic NSW website at http://livetraffic.rta.nsw.gov.au
• Rural animal and livestock assistance contact your Local Land Services Office
• You can find more information on the weather in the catchments of the Macleay River from the Bureau of Meteorology website at www.bom.gov.au