It is only the early part of storm season for 2023/24, but today's severe thunderstorm activity is a reminder that although an El Nino has been declared Lismore and the Northern Rivers is still prone to flash flooding occurring at any time.

The Lismore Airport recorded 65mm to 2pm with 95mm recorded at Goonellabah as Lismore's CBD streets were affected by the intense rainfall that fell between 9am and 10:30am.

The usual places, like Uralba Street and Brewster Street near the Square and the Woodlark Street roundabout, went under but cleared quickly when the rain eased.

Flash flooding could not have been further from the minds of several businesses in the low-lying areas of the CBD, especially after the forecast was for 6mm of rain at the most, late last night.

Michael Piccoli from Car-Align Auto Repairs had water enter the rear workshop of their premises on Woodlark Street, and water was across the road in front of the business. In their low-lying position, they are accustomed to regular flooding.

Michael believes a lot of the problem relates to drainage in the area - both the fact that the drains need a deep clean, and that a large catchment of drain water comes down the drains that can’t effectively getaway into the storm-water drain.

“The honest truth is this probably needs ripping up - a big hole dug all the way up there and a massive drain putting in to get the water into Browns Creek” Michael said, “especially if they're going to do something over here with this big skate park, that's number one priority - fix all the drainage while doing it. Don't have drains this big with like a 20-inch hole feeding into a 4-inch pipe.”

The marks on the wall inside the building show the flood history, with a mark at the top of the tall workshop wall indicating the 2017 flood, showing just how low-lying the area is.

“When I was a kid floods used to come in here two or three times a year until the levee was built for people back then it was just common knowledge you just got used to it. For all the people that have never experienced it or are new to the area, it’s really daunting.”

Timbre Cafe on Dawson Street had water through the premises two feet deep. A quick response from staff and customers who lent a hand saved equipment that was at floor level, and when the water receded rapidly, it was quickly mopped out.

“We were standing in here serving coffee. I was watching a dark cloud over there and thought, it should be fine.” Melissa, the owner, said, “Before we knew it, water was fully coming in."

"There was actually a lot of people in here and they couldn't get out! One woman went to get into her parked car because the car was going in the water. She tried to get out but she couldn’t because the roads were blocked so she just had to hang out here.”

In East Lismore, there was a lot of water over Wyrallah Road. Three Little Butchers narrowly avoided water entering the shop with waves from traffic threatening to come in.

While the threat of more rain is forecast for this afternoon, the severe thunderstorm warning has been cancelled and fine weather is on the way for the weekend.

You can check out all the latest Bureau of Meteorology weather through the Lismore App, including the weather radar Weather & Travel.