NSW: 4,000 in northern NSW may be isolated by floodwaters
31 Mar 2009 6:17 PM
SYDNEY, March 31 AAP - A deep trough off the NSW coast producing five-metre waves and heavy rain is expected to cause floods that will leave up to 4,000 northern NSW residents stranded.
Access to several communities in the Bellinger Valley on the state's north coast is likely to be cut off by rising floodwaters on Tuesday, with 1,000 people already stranded.
Beach erosion and flash floods from the north coast south as far as Sydney are also possible, with the Pacific Highway closed because of flooding near Coffs Harbour and police warning motorists to delay any travel in the area.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is also warning of storm-force winds off the mid-north coast and gale-force winds for most coastal waters.
BoM NSW weather services manager Deryn Griffiths said the coastal trough was not a major low pressure system, but was producing some heavy downpours.
"We are warning of the risk of heavier rain overnight and tomorrow," Ms Griffith said.
"Whether it's enough to do flash floods? We'd be looking to at least some sites getting about 50mm-100mm (of rain) - but we're alerting (people) to that possibility.
"The rain is mainly over the mid-north coast at the moment, but we're alerting that the heavy falls may come down as far as Sydney."
She says Bellingen was hit with 330mm of rain in the 24 hours to 3pm (AEDT) on Tuesday.
Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan says Kalang and Darkwood, both with populations of about 500, are already cut off.
Bellingen and North Bellingen, with a combined population of just under 3,000, are expected to become isolated as rain continues on Tuesday.
The same area was hit by floodwaters only six weeks ago.
"A band of torrential rain has hit the area now and is expected to clear later tonight, before returning again tomorrow," Mr Whan told parliament on Tuesday.
Up to 100 State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers were assisting, he said.
Police are warning Coffs Harbour area residents to stay at home after almost two days of torrential rain.
It has caused large areas of flooding and cut off a number of roads, including the Pacific Highway south of Coffs Harbour at the intersection of Boambee Road.
"Police are urging all residents to remain inside their homes during this time while people considering travelling to or through the Coffs Harbour area are advised to delay their journeys until the floodwaters have subsided," police said in a statement.
The NSW Ambulance Service said several hours of heavy rain on Tuesday kept paramedics busy in Sydney, and urged drivers to take care in the wet weather.
"Ambulances in the Sydney region have been dispatched to over 60 motor vehicle collisions so far today," the service said in a statement.
"During wet weather, drivers should take extra care on the roads as these conditions result in reduced visibility, flooding and slippery road surfaces which make driving particularly hazardous."
