Desperate residents in northern NSW have spent an anxious night stranded on rooftops as flood waters continued to rise as the heavy rains and dangerous weather moves south.
Up to 1000 Lismore residents are believed to still be trapped in their homes as water remains pooled across the northern NSW city.
Michelle Taylor spent all night desperately asking for help online as the water around her home quickly rose and threatened her family of five.
“We need a chopper to get us if possible, please someone help us we are desperate,” she wrote.
Ms Taylor said her family suddenly woke to water filling the home and have been left traumatised by the sudden evacuation.
The family had never experienced such a fast-moving flood and were forced to wait on the roof of their house late into Monday night until emergency services were able to rescue them.
Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg told the ABC up to 1000 residents could still be trapped and awaiting rescue, with up to 400 calls for help yet to be answered.
“400 calls could translate to anywhere up to 1000 people still,” he said.
On Tuesday morning Mr Krieg said the number one priority is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents.
“Please continue to listen to emergency services personnel and follow instructions,” he wrote on Facebook.
“As rains ease and the water level falls, don’t attempt to return home or worse still ‘have a look’. Under no circumstances should anyone enter floodwaters.”
“As difficult as today will be, it’s important to remember you are not alone, talk with each other, look after each other and support each other.”
More towns along the mid-north coast have been told to evacuate as the deluge moves further south including Casino, Maclean, East Bellingen, Lawrence, Broadwater and Cabbage Tree Island.
The weather system is predicted to move even further south on Tuesday and bring heavy rain to Sydney.
Homes in Grafton have already had their homes inundated with water as the town’s levee threatens to break.
Residents worry as the heavy rain continues, mixed with the water flowing down the river from Lismore, they will also lose their homes.
About 200 ADF personnel and emergency services crews and up to 20 civilian boats had been providing assistance to those in trouble across the affected regions.
Rescue efforts continued into the night, although an SES spokesperson said it was important to also take into account the safety of their own personnel.
“They do want to help the community and they genuinely want to get out there but we need to ensure the safety of our volunteers,” the spokesperson said.
Overnight the Bureau of Meteorology issued additional flood warnings for the Macleay, Orara and Nambucca rivers.
A number of roads were closed including the M1 Pacific Motorway which was shut in both directions between Cudgera Creek and Tweed Heads.
Adverse weather conditions hampered aerial rescue efforts throughout Monday with hopes more aircraft could be safely launched to assist those still stranded in the coming days.
