Byron Bay facing ‘unprecedented’ floods as evacuation orders issued in northern NSW
Residents in northern NSW are facing another flood crisis as evacuation orders are issued.
The levee at Lismore is expected to be overtopped within hours, as the Wilsons River rises at a rate of a centimetre a minute.
Evacuation orders are in place for the Lismore CBD and surrounding areas.
Byron Mayor Michael Lyon told Ben Fordham that despite the absence of any evacuation orders for the area, the flooding is “unprecedented” in “these parts of town”.
“The flash flooding in Byron and surrounds is incredible.”
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Mayor of Lismore Steve Krieg said “amateur” predictions is making it harder to understand the latest on the flooding situation.
He told Jim Wilson, “People seem to be following them before the official channels”.
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NSW MP for Lismore Janelle Saffin has said the SES is struggling with numbers to cope with the floods.
Ms Saffin told Deborah Knight there are major concerns with some of the SES resources and communication.
“They need better resourcing and highly trained professional rescue combat agency.”
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Listeners have told Ben Fordham the heavy rain is relentless.
Mullumbimby local Jacqui said, “it’s a disaster site”.
Residents in Byron Bay have woken to the town flooded. @nbnnews @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/yLvUq0pW86
— Olivia Grace-Curran (@livgracecurran) March 29, 2022
SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns has provided Ben with an update but the Lismore Mayor has confirmed locals are turning to Facebook for information.
“You can’t rely on the SES and the Bureau at the moment,” Mayor Steve Krieg said.
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Flooding in Bangalow.
Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader told Ben Fordham “it has been a very wild night”.
“We do have flash flooding and we do have a lot of roads that are cut.
“It’s really not safe for people to go out.”
Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot, told Ben Fordham they are trying to organise evacuation centres.
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