The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a major flood warning for the Brunswick River and Marshalls Creek, with warnings Marshalls Creek at Billinudgel may reach around 4.3 metres tonight and the Brunswick River at Mullumbimby’s Federation Bridge possibly reaching 5 metres.
Byron Shire residents are this evening being urged to check the BOM website regularly and heed SES orders.
People in low-lying areas are being urged by the SES to seek shelter in the highest, safest place possible.
Evacuation orders remain in place for Billinudgel, The Pocket, Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads, Ocean Shores, New Brighton and South Golden Beach.
Residents in these areas have been ordered to evacuate if it is safe to do so.
The official evacuation centre for Byron Shire is the Ocean Shores Country Club, however many people are not able to get there because of flood water, Byron Shire Council said in a statement this afternoon.
“Council is aware people are going to other places including the Mullumbimby RSL and the Brunswick Heads Hotel.”
“The Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre is coordinating donations, and at this stage all they need are blankets.
“The flood pump at Helen Street at South Golden Beach has been without power for most of the day and Essential Energy staff have been unable to restore power because of flooding.
“People at South Golden Beach should follow any advice from the SES because the pump will not be operational until tomorrow at the earliest,” Council said.
Residents who remain at home in Mullumbimby are being urged to minimise their water use.
“The Mullumbimby water treatment plant remains offline and Council staff are unable to get access to it to fix it. Water is still available but must be used sparingly,” Council said.
Council’s offices in Mullumbimby will be closed again tomorrow. The building has been affected by flood water. Staff are available to help people via email (council@byron.nsw.gov.au) or people can call the after-hours Emergency number 02 6622 7022.
Council has also advised that there will be no rubbish collections in rural areas although some services will still operate in other towns. People should put their bins out as normal and they will be collected as soon as possible, it said.
The Resource Recovery Centre at Myocum and the Cavanbah Centre are closed until further notice.
The Red Cross has opened a register to help family and friends of people who have had to evacuate to get in touch.
