Community Update - Stay home and stay safe - 1pm 20 March 2021 Waterfall Way closed to all traffic –…

As significant rainfall continues, a watch and act brief remains in place for Council staff to continue to observe the potential impacts of the current weather system offshore on existing river levels and assess the need to effect bridge closures.

Council urges everyone to stay home and safe unless travel is absolutely necessary and to continue to monitor information via our Shire’s Disaster Dashboard. To access our Shire’s Disaster Dashboard, simply click here or go to Bellingen Shire Council’s website at www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au and click on the Disaster Dashboard link prominently located on the website’s Home Page.

Existing closures on Waterfall Way are extensive and Council staff continue to work with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to prepare for recovery works however, further geotechnical and environmental investigations need to occur which are currently restricted by heavy rainfall. Council encourages the community not to undertake any non-essential travel or to access the mountain at this time as the road is closed.

Additional information as provided by the SES this morning is as follows:

· For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500. In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.

· Residents of low lying areas near the river should keep an active watch on the flood waters.

· Keep in contact with your neighbours.

· Farmers on low lying land close to rivers and creeks are urged to monitor livestock, pumps and other equipment. Waste and chemical containers should be located well above predicted flood levels.

· Never walk, drive, play or ride through floodwaters. If it’s flooded, forget it.

· Motorists should avoid driving through flood waters, which may have washed away road surfaces and could be deeper or faster-flowing than they look.

For more information:

· Listen to your local ABC radio station, follow NSWSES on Facebook or www.ses.nsw.gov.au · Latest Weather, Warnings, Rainfall and River heights: www.bom.gov.au/nsw · Road Closures: RMS website www.livetraffic.com.au, 131 701 or on the Regional Road Information website www.myroadinfo.com.au