Thousands of NSW residents in three regions have been placed on high alert on Saturday, as the weather bureau forecasts more significant rainfall into next week.
As of Saturday morning, there are 28 active evacuation orders across NSW, with the State Emergency Services focusing their attention on flooding in the Northern Rivers, western Sydney, as well as the Central Coast.
There is also potential for flooding in the Mid-North Coast.
Meanwhile in Queensland, there has been a long enough reprieve from the rain to allow thousands of volunteers the chance to regroup “Mud Army 2.0”.
NSW
Despite a brief reprieve from the rain, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned of more heavy falls and thunderstorms from Sunday, which will cause prolonged moderate to major flood levels on the state’s rivers.
Among the warnings is the Richmond Riverxjmtzyw at Coraki, Bungawalbyn and Woodburn, with residents told to leave by 2.30am on Saturday.
Moderate flooding is also likely along the Macintyre River downstream of Holdfast, the Bureau has warned.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected from Sunday until Tuesday across parts of the Hawkesbury-Napean Valley, extending into the Hunter, Paterson, Williams, Gloucester and Manning River catchments.
The Bureau has warned of potential renewed river rises in areas already impacted by flooding.
Major flooding continues at North Richmond and at Gostwyck Bridge in the Lower Hunter.
Premier Dominic Perrottet will visit hard-hit Lismore in the state’s north on Saturday morning.
Queensland
In southeast Queensland, the Mud Army 2.0 has been given the green light to resume clean up.
About 13,000 volunteers were expected to be out-and-about in Brisbane and the southeast on Saturday, hosing out mud and helping move heavy items on to the street ahead of forecasted showers on Saturday afternoon.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner called for anyone available to get out and join the effort.
“It’s heartbreaking to see the devastation in areas right across Brisbane … Let’s get Brisbane back to the way we know and love again,” Mr Schrinner said.
An upper-level system is expected to move in, and enhance thunderstorm activity towards Sunday.
Along the coast, a hazardous surf warning has been issued for the Gold Coast, with swells of up to two metres pushing in.
Some beaches on the Sunshine Coast are open, but swimmers and surfers are being urged to consider their actions, with debris and water quality issue causing havoc along the coast.
Victoria
Storms forecast for Victoria could lead to flash flooding around Melbourne, Traralgon and Shepparton.
