Flooding Subsides on the NSW Mid North Coast

A final Flood Warning for Bulahdelah was issued at 9:58pm, Friday April 25.

SES volunteers have responded to just over 300 requests for assistance over the past two and a half days. The vast majority of these requests have been completed. The areas where most of these requests have come from include Taree, Port Macquarie, Harrington, Camden Haven, Wyong and areas across the Hunter. Seven field teams of SES volunteers from Glen Innes, Inverell, Narrabri and the Illawarra were deployed in these areas to assist with the response and are now preparing to travel back to their own areas.

The SES advises:

• Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater
• Do not allow children near floodwater including creeks, stormwater drains and causeways
• Stay clear of low-lying areas where floodwater could be present including creeks, drains and causeways. Floodwater can be deep, fast-flowing and contain pollutants, hidden snags and debris. Motorists are reminded that roadways may have surfaces that have been washed away
• Stay clear of fallen trees and powerlines and stay clear of damaged property
• Only travel if it is essential
• Follow any instructions given to you by emergency services
• Listen to your local radio station for information, warnings, updates and advice

For emergency assistance in floods and storms, call the SES on 132 500. For life-threatening emergencies, call 000.

The information below is current as of 11:00pm Friday April 25th. Changes to these conditions can happen. It is advised to check the Bureau of Meteorology website for the most current weather and flood information.

Hastings River Information

The Hastings River at Kindee Bridge peaked around 7.11 metres around 1pm this afternoon (25/4/08) with moderate flooding.  River levels are expected to fall below the minor flood level later this morning. A peak of around 3.2 metres with minor flooding at Wauchope occurred about 11pm Friday April 25. River levels at Wauchope have now fallen below the minor flood level.

Manning River Information

The Manning River at Wingham peaked at 7.9 metres with minor flooding at midnight April 25th. This caused the inundation of some roads and the isolation of rural properties. A flood peak of 2.4 metres reached Taree around midnight April 25 and is expected to stay at this level for the rest of the morning and start to fall slowly later today. Downstream at Harrington the river is predicted to remain below minor flood level, however Harrington is still isolated with all access roads closed. These are expected to re-open gradually during the afternoon as the tide recedes.  An evacuation centre has been established by the Department of Community Services (DoCS) at the local bowling club.

Paterson and Williams River Information

No significant rain has been recorded in the Williams and Paterson river valleys since about 3pm Friday April 25. The Williams River peaked at Dungog (7.4 metres at 4:30pm Friday April 25) with minor flooding. The river at Dungog has now fallen below the minor flood level. A peak at Mill Dam Falls of 8.1 metres with moderate flooding occurred around 12:30 am Saturday morning.

The Paterson River at Gostwyck peaked at 12.8 metres around 10:45pm April 25 with major flooding. There were some local road closures and isolation of rural properties continues. Dungog SES Unit are coordinating any resupply needs for this area.

Tuggerah Lake Information

No significant rainfall has been recorded in the Wyong River catchment since midday April 25. The level at Tuggerah Lake peaked at 0.85 metres around 1am on Saturday April 26. This level is expected to continue to fall slowly for the rest of the day.

Bulahdelah (Myall River) Information

No significant rainfall has been recorded in the Myall River catchment since midday April 25. The Myall River peaked at Bulahdelah around 3pm at 3.18 metres causing minor flooding. 

Visit the SES Get Prepared pages for FloodSafe and StormSafe information.

For information on minor, moderate and major flood height levels, visit the Bureau of Meteorology webpage - Flood Warning Services