The NSW SES advises people in the following area(s) to PREPARE TO EVACUATE by 9:00 am Mon 24 Oct due to predicted dangerous major flooding:

• All areas north of Leycester Creek and the Wilsons River

• Winterton Parade between Pitt Lane and the Wilsons River

• Pitt Lane

• Streets located south of Leycester Creek and north of Hollingsworth Street including; Meadow Drive and surrounds

• Streets between Wilson Street and Ostrom Street Streets between Casino Street and Newbridge Street

• Union Street, Ballina Road, Folyes Road, Taylors Street, Norco Lane, Franks Street

You should monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate so that you can safely evacuate when instructed to do so by NSW SES. Wherever possible, you should prepare to stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements.

If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you.

What are we expecting?

The Bureau of Meteorology advises Major flooding is possible along the Wilsons River at Lismore.

The Wilsons River at Lismore (AHD) is expected to exceed the minor flood level (4.20 m) overnight Sunday into Monday.

The river level is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (7.20 m) Monday morning and may reach the major flood level (9.70 m) Monday afternoon or evening.

Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

Based on predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, the following areas may be impacted by dangerous floodwaters:

• Low lying areas

• Culverts and causeways

This event may change quickly. We will monitor the situation and update our warnings if the situation changes.

What you need to do:

• If you have a Home and/or Business Emergency Plan, use it now. Otherwise, have a conversation and plan for what you will do and take with you if you need to evacuate. Have your mobile phone close and pack your charger, battery-powered radio, medicine, rain gear, warm clothes, blankets, baby and pet items, water, food, torch, something to attract attention, and valuables like photos and insurance or banking records.
• Wear enclosed shoes and pack warm clothes for at least three days to manage unseasonably cool conditions.
• Check your vehicle fuel levels and towed equipment (e.g., horse floats, trailers) to ensure you can safely evacuate.
• Arrange to evacuate to the home of family or friends who are in a safe location away from present and potential flooding. Consider how to transport your pet(s) and companion animals.
• Lift important belongings up onto tables, beds, benches, and shelves above predicted flood levels.
• Collect or create sandbags by filling pillowcases or shopping bags with sand and place them around doorways and in toilets and over drains to prevent rising sewage.
• Relocate waste containers, chemicals, and poisons well above flood level.
• Investigate whether there are other hazards (e.g., severe storms, landslip, flash floods) that will impact your ability to evacuate.
• Avoid storm drains and pipes, ditches, ravines, creeks, and rivers.
• Never drive, walk, ride through, play or swim in floodwater-it is dangerous, toxic, and may void your car insurance. If it's flooded, forget it. Fines apply.
• Obey all signs about road closures and instructions from emergency services. Contact your Local Land Services Office for rural animal and livestock assistance at lls.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 814 647

For more information:

Listen to your local ABC radio station which can be found at reception.abc.net.au. ABC North Coast 94.5 FM; ZZZ FM 100.9; 2LM 104.3 FM, 900 AM;

Follow us on social media @NSWSES or visit our website at www.ses.nsw.gov.au Learn about your risk at www.ses.nsw.gov.au/your-risk/

Check latest weather, warnings, rainfall and river heights at bom.gov.au/nsw/ Check road closures at livetraffic.com.au or 132 701 or your local Council.

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.

Media enquiries: [email protected] or call 1800 067 234

This is a Watch and Act level warning. The NSW SES utilises the Australian Warning System to warn communities about severe weather and flooding. Learn more about the warning levels at www.ses.nsw.gov.au/warnings