Rainfall observed in the past 36 hours throughout the Macleay River catchment has resulted in river level rises along the Macleay River and its tributaries.
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This follows heavy rain linked to a low pressure system that has impacted the Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands.
Another trough is expected to cross the state during Wednesday and Thursday, bringing a return of rain and unsettled conditions. Renewed flooding is possible in the inland rivers where there are minor to major flood warnings current.
The Macleay River at Georges Creek was expected to peak at 4am Tuesday (November 23) near the minor flood level of 6.8 metres.
At Georges Creek and surrounding areas flood water may start to impact low lying areas, roads, camping areas and causeways in the upper Macleay. Should river heights continue to rise residents in the Upper Macleay and Bellbrook areas need to consider the impact of potential isolation.
Kempsey Shire Council said in addition to Bellbrook Bridge, the causeway on Dungay Creek Road and Temagog Bridge across the Macleay River are likely to be affected by minor floodwaters overnight.
At 1.30am Tuesday, the Macleay River at Bellbrook was 4.69m and rising, 3.34m at Turners Flat and rising and 0.56m at Smithtown and steady. At Kempsey, the river was at 0.84m and steady.
Council staff will inspect bridges and causeways and provide an update on Tuesday morning.
The flood relief and cross over gates at Kinchela Creek and Belmore River, and the flood gates on Euroka and Christmas Creeks will be closed.
Meanwhile, the Bellinger River at Thora peaked Monday evening with minor flooding.
Sherrad Falls along the Waterfall Way to Dorrigo was cascading over the roadway on Monday afternoon.
The Bellinger River at Thora peaked at 3.76 metres at 8.30pm Monday and is falling.
Based on the prediction provided by the Bureau of Meteorology it is expected the following areas will be impacted by floodwaters:
In the Thora/Darkwood area - Darkwood Road may be closed at Hobarts Bridge, isolating residents upstream of the bridge. Joyces Bridge may close while Leans Bridge is closed
In the Bellingen area, farmland downstream of Bellingen may begin to inundate.
The State Emergency Service (SES) said it is likely that evacuation routes from Darkwood will be impacted and impassable once the river exceeds 3m at the Thora gauge.
Residents of low-lying areas near the river should keep an active watch on the flood waters.
To the south at Port Macquarie, areas around Rollands Plains and Telegraph Point experienced low-lying inundation with several bridges and roads cut off by floodwaters.
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