Thousands of residents in the northern New South Wales town have been told to immediately leave with 'life-threatening' floodwaters smashing a 68-year record and levees lapping at the second level of buildings on the main street.
State Emergency Services door knocked hundreds of homes in the danger zone to advise residents to urgently leave or risk being trapped by floodwater.Stream more Australian news with Flash. Stay up to date with more than 20 global & local news sources. New to Flash? Try 1 month free now
Overnight, State Emergency Services door knocked hundreds of homes in the danger zone to advise residents to urgently leave or risk being trapped by quickly rising floodwater. Picture: Stuart Cumming Floodwater in the town has smashed the previous record of 12.15m in 1974 and the 1954 high of 12.27m.
"Heavy rain is falling over the Wilsons River catchment and is forecast to continue during the remainder of Monday morning." SES spokesman Dave Rankin has told residents to volunteer themselves and their vessel to the nearest SES station if it was safe for them to travel. Lismore locals with their boating licence have been called on by officials to help in the evacuation operation. Picture: Stuart Cumming