We know that 2022 has set the record for the highest ever Lismore flood height of 14.4 metres, smashing the previous record of 12.11m set in 1954 and 1974.

Only once before has Lismore had two major floods in a short period of time, the other was in 1987 with 10.43m on March 6 followed by 10.78m on May 11.

What isn't widely known, especially for newcomers, is that Lismore has a history of repeated flooding in consecutive months, the first dating back to 1893 when there was a moderate 8.3m flood on January 22 followed by a major 10.43m flood on February 11. Look familiar?

Unfortunately, some of the statistics also show three and four flood patterns over the years, like in 1972 when there was a moderate 9.43m flood on February 13 followed by a 5.67m minor flood on March 8/9 and again on April 3/4 when another minor flood was recorded at 5.07m.

Some of the 4 floods in a year were because of second peaks two or three days after the initial flood when a different weather system had a further impact, like in February this year. However, 2013 Lismore recorded floods in January, February, March and July.

The tables below indicate the multiple flood events since records began in 1893. Note, there were single events during in between years but these are not listed.