Tweet from @BOM_NSW
The NSW State Emergency Service has warned travellers heading to Queensland to keep safe and stay out of floodwater, as the Mid-North Coast and Northern Rivers region face continuing heavy rain.
NSW State Emergency Service Northern Zone spokesman David Rankin said it was a surprising turn of events, given the recent lifting of the NSW-Queensland border.
“It has been a hell of a year,” he said.
“Who could have imagined two weeks out from Christmas now the border has been opened and people are travelling through our great community it is raining to the extent that it is, with potential flooding putting travellers at risk.
“For tourists and locals alike, be mindful of where you are driving during these storms and rain. It is never a good idea to cross a flooded causeway.”
The NSW Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a severe weather warning for the region, with heavy rain along the coast expected to ease later today, before worsening conditions tomorrow.
The BOM said rainfall could be increased by thunderstorms that could lead to dangerous flash flooding.
Senior meteorologist Adam Morgan said the rain had been heaviest overnight.
“Some of the highest totals we have seen have been since 9:00am yesterday have been 118 millimetres at Coffs Harbour Airport, 136 millimetres at Bowraville and 139 millimetres at Spicketts Creek.”
Emergency evacuation order at Sawtell
Mr Rankin said parts of Sawtell, south of Coffs Harbour could be inundated.
He said some residents with properties backing onto Middle Creek were being warned to move to higher ground.
“Our volunteers have been out door-knocking this morning six properties in Boronia Street that may need to evacuate if this weather continues as they are in low-lying areas,” he said.
Some homeowners in Coffs Harbour are sandbagging homes.
Jenny Snow in Coramba, north-west of Coffs Harbour, said her home got a lot of run-off during heavy rain.
“I am a bit nervous, but the trick is being prepared,” she said.
Mr Morgan said conditions would deteriorate over the weekend, with a flood watch for Northern NSW, including the Bellinger River.
“We are seeing an upper trough develop over the Coral Sea and that will come into towards south-east Queensland and NSW coast during Sunday and Monday, which is when we see another heavy burst of rain and it will be quite windy as well.”
–ABC
The post NSW travellers heading for Queensland warned as heavy rains lash northern areas appeared first on The New Daily.
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