Severe weather update Monday 14 December 2020

Published on 14 December 2020

 The Tweed Byron Emergency Operations Committee has been activated, as Byron Shire residents brace for another night of severe weather.

The Bureau of Meteorology Flood Watch remains current for the Northern Rivers, with minor flooding forecast at Billinudgel and Mullumbimby on Monday evening, as a result of renewed river rises and heavy rainfall.

“Our thoughts are with residents in the Byron Shire hinterland who are currently isolated as a result of flooding,” Director Infrastructure Services Phil Holloway said.

“We have roads closed at Upper Main Arm, Upper Wilsons Creek, Eureka, Upper Coopers Creek, Wanganui. We have over 40 roads across the Shire where we have issued cautions,” Mr Holloway said.

“It’s important that all residents avoid travelling on our rural roads wherever possible.”

“We have 50 residents at Upper Main Arm who have been without power since yesterday morning.

“Council crews will not be able to assess and repair the damage to the access tracks at Causeways 12 and 14 until flood waters recede. We acknowledge this is a challenging time for our Upper Main Arm Residents,” Mr Holloway said.

Brunswick Heads residents were without power for a period this morning, with services restored before 1pm.

“Fallen trees and debris have been a problem for us in Byron Shire, and will continue to be an issue with rain and wind persisting,” Mr Holloway said.

Staff have been on standby to perform another beach scraping at Belongil Creek, however it opened naturally this morning during the high tide. The next peak tide is forecast for tomorrow morning at 9:45am.

“Council staff have been assessing the damage to our coastline at Main Beach and Belongil, with Police and Lifeguards on patrol to ensure public safety.

It has been disappointing and frustrating to see people on the dunes during the event, causing further erosion.

People need to stay right away from the dunes during this severe weather event,” Mr Holloway said.

“Further coastal erosion is expected, with high tides to continue for the rest of the week.”

“Police will be doing welfare checks on residents in some of the accessible low lying area in Byron Shire throughout the evening, including our caravan parks.” Mr Holloway said.

Emergency Information

Byron Shire residents are asked to keep an eye on warnings from the BOM and the State Emergency Service. 

The new Byron Shire Emergency Dashboard has direct links to these agencies and people should bookmark the website emergency.byron.nsw.gov.au.

It will have the latest information from the SES and BOM websites as well as their Facebook feeds.

For help during floods and storms people should call the SES on 132 500.

Byron Shire Emergency Dashboard

The Byron Shire Emergency Dashboard has direct links to the latest information from the BOM, SES, Essential Energy and other agencies.  People are asked to save emergency.byron.nsw.gov.au as a bookmark as a quick and easy way to find information about weather, flooding and roads.

Road closures

Some roads are flooded and will quickly be affected by further rainfall.  People can find information at emergency.byron.nsw.gov.au or www.myroadinfo.com.au.

To report local road closures or trees and debris on roads call Council’s emergency after hours number 6622 7022.

For help during floods and storms – call the SES on 132 500

People needing help during floods and storms should call the SES on 132 500. 

Weather updates

The latest information from the BOM is available at www.bom.gov.au or emergency.byron.nsw.gov.au.

Emergency radio station

The Emergency broadcaster for the Byron Shire is ABC North Coast – 94.5FM or 720AM (Murwillumbah area).