Moderate To Major Flood Warning For The Orara River
6 MARCH 2025 20:48 EDT
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales
Moderate To Major Flood Warning For The Orara River
Issued at 08:48 PM EDT on Thursday 06 March 2025
Flood Warning Number: 2
MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT COUTTS CROSSING DURING SUNDAY
MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE AT GLENREAGH FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON
Moderate to heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred has been recorded across the Orara River catchment since Wednesday and is expected to intensify during the remainder of Thursday and into Friday. This rainfall has the potential to cause dangerous and rapid river level rises across the Orara River and its tributaries.
Major flooding is possible at Coutts Crossing during Sunday. Moderate flooding is possible at Glenreagh from Friday afternoon.
A Flood Watch is current for the Northern Rivers and northern Mid North Coast Catchments.
A Tropical Cyclone Advice and a Severe Weather Warning are current for NSW.
Further heavy rainfall is forecast across the catchment for the next several days as TC Alfred makes landfall. The timing and location of the heaviest falls will depend on the track of the cyclone. This situation is being closely monitored and warnings will be updated as necessary.
Orara River:
Major flooding may occur along the Orara River.
The Orara River at Glenreagh Automatic Gauge is currently at 3.37 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (5.00 metres).
The Orara River at Glenreagh Automatic Gauge is likely to exceed the minor flood level (5.00 m) overnight Thursday into Friday. The river level may exceed the moderate flood level (9.00 m) from Friday afternoon, with forecast rainfall.
No recent river level observations are available for the Glenreagh Bridge manual gauge. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river level is estimated to be rising below the minor flood level (4.00 metres).
The Orara River at Glenreagh Bridge (manual flood gauge) is likely to exceed the minor flood level (4.00 m) overnight Thursday into Friday. The river level may exceed the moderate flood level (7.00 m) from Friday afternoon, with forecast rainfall.
No current river level observations are available for the Orara River at Coutts Crossing. The river level is estimated to be below the minor flood level (5.00 m) and rising.
The Orara River at Coutts Crossing is likely to exceed the minor flood level (5.00 m) Friday morning. The river level is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (9.00 m) Saturday morning and may reach the major flood level (12.00 m) during Sunday, with forecast rainfall.
Flood Safety Advice:
In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring NSW SES on 132 500.
* Avoid drowning. Stay out of rising water, seek refuge in the highest available place.
* Prevent damage to your vehicle. Move it under cover, away from areas likely to flood.
* Avoid being swept away. Stay out of fast-flowing creeks and storm drains.
* Never drive, ride or walk through flood water. Flood water can be deceptive and dangerous.}
For more emergency information, advice, and access to the latest river heights and rainfall observations and forecasts:
* NSW SES: www.ses.nsw.gov.au
* RMS Live Traffic: www.livetraffic.com
* Latest River Heights and Rainfall Observations: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/northcoast.shtml
* Latest NSW Warnings: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/
* Rainfall Forecasts: www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/
* BOM NSW Twitter: www.twitter.com/BOM_NSW
Next issue:
The next warning will be issued by 09:00 am EDT on Friday 07 March 2025.
Latest River Heights:
Orara River at Karangi,1.92,Steady,08:00 PM THU 06/03/25
Orara River at Glenreagh (Automatic Gauge),3.37,Rising,08:00 PM THU 06/03/25
This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 210. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood. The latest weather forecast is available at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts.
