Flooding of some degree occurs, on average once or twice per year. The major flood warning height of 8.2m on the Bellingen town gauge is reached about once every six or seven years. Most recently floods affected the Bellingen Valley in 2001, 2004 and 2006. The flood of record was in November 1870 when the Bellingen River peaked at 11.55m resulting in severe flooding in Bellingen. Floods exceeding this height should be viewed as inevitable and would rise more rapidly and have faster flowing floodwaters.
The town of Bellingen is divided in two when the bridge connecting North Bellingen and Bellingen is submerged at 4.9m on the Bellingen town gauge. In major flooding the bridge closure can last for several days.
The entire community of Bellingen can become isolated by floods. The SES has well developed and practiced plans for the resupply of Bellingen.
Areas at specific risk of flooding include:
North Bellingen: Low-lying areas south of Wheatley Street and east of Hammond Street, including Black St and the Showgrounds. Floodwaters backup the creek to the west of Lyon St causing inundation of low lying properties upstream of Wheatley St in relatively small flood events. In severe floods, Hammond and Dowle Streets would experience high-velocity flows. Floodwaters initially begin to threaten properties in North Bellingen after 8 metres on the Bellingen Town gauge.
Bellingen: Connell Park and a small number of properties in Mary, Hyde, Church, Prince, Bowra, South, Rawson, Park and Watson Streets and Connell Place. Flooding from the Bellinger River begins to effect properties in this area between 9.5 and 10 metres on the Bellingen town gauge. Property inundation in the area generally occurs as a result of the backing up of floodwaters into Cemetery Creek.
East Bellingen: Residential and commercial properties in Deopel and Cahill Streets are affected in events reaching 6.5 to 7.5m on the Bellingen Town gauge. In severe events floodwaters could be deep and fast-flowing.
Flooding can also occur in low-lying sections of the downstream communities of Repton and Raleigh
You must be ready to evacuate when a significant flood is approaching. Deciding to remain in your home or business when it is surrounded by flood waters or has water over floor level can be dangerous. Flooding may last for several days. Your home or business may become a refuge for vermin, snakes and spiders. There may be no water, sewerage, power, telephone or other services for several weeks, and you may be unable to call for help in an emergency.
Download the Bellingen FloodSafe Guide to find out more.
