Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred LIVE updates: Storm finally makes landfall as strong winds batter Brisbane; major flooding possible for Lismore
The Bureau of Meteorology has downgraded a flood warning for the Wilsons Rivers at Lismore amid falling water levels.
Lismore, which was hard hit by floods in 2022, has been bracing for a repeat due to a deluge of rain as ex-tropical cyclone Alfred approached the coastline.
The bureau on Sunday morning had a major flood warning in place for the Wilsons River at Lismore. But it has since lowered that to a moderate flooding alert.
The river peaked at 9.31 metres on Saturday.
Flooding in low-lying parts of Lismore.Credit: Nick Moir
“The Wilsons River at Lismore is likely to remain around the moderate flood level (7.20 metres) during Sunday. The river level may fall below the moderate flood level during Monday,” the bureau said.
Major flood warnings remain in place for the Clarence River at Grafton, the Tweed River at Tumbulgum and the Richmond River at Wiangaree, Kyogle, Casino, Coraki, Bungawalbyn and Woodburn.
The bureau’s Michael Logan said severe weather warnings with potential for flash flooding remained in force for parts of the Northern Rivers, the Dorrigo Ranges and the Northern Tablelands.
“The severe weather warnings are reducing near the coast, so we are seeing some easing of conditions, particularly in parts of the Mid North Coast, and the heavy rainfall is forecast to continue to ease later on Sunday nearer to the coast,” Logan said. “They will also expect to ease in the Northern Tablelands later this afternoon.”
Logan said the inland-moving rainfall had brought flood risks to 11 rivers, with major flooding occurring in the Richmond and Bellinger rivers and the possibility of flooding in the Tweed and Clarence river systems.
He added that moderate flooding had occurred along the Wilsons River at Lismore, which was falling slowly.
“In terms of the outlook for the system later today and overnight, the focus of the rainfall shifts over the Northern Tablelands through to the Northern Inland Region and then extends south-east across central and eastern parts of the state Monday and Tuesday, before easing in the middle of the week,” Logan said.
“As that rainfall does extend further south, it won’t be as heavy as what we’ve seen further north. The situation isn’t over yet, even though it is easing in some parts.”
