- For the latest warnings and updates, visit ses.nsw.gov.au.
- For the latest weather updates and active warnings, visit bom.gov.au.
- For road closures, check with your local council (Cessnock, Maitland, Dungog, Port Stephens).
- For emergency help in floods and storms, call the SES on 132 500.
- In life-threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
UPDATE: 3.30pm Saturday
Moderate to major flooding is occurring along the Paterson and Williams rivers the SES has advised.
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People in areas likely to be impacted by flooding in low lying areas of Clarence Town should prepare for possible evacuation.
River levels at Gostwyck Bridge are currently above the major flood level, and river levels at Dungog and Mill Dam Falls are above moderate flood levels. A peak around the major flood level is expected at Mill Dam Falls Saturday afternoon.
Major flooding may occur along the Williams River.
The Williams River at Dungog was expected to peak near 8.30 metres around midday Saturday with moderate flooding.
The Williams River at Mill Dam Falls may peak near 9.10 metres around 04:00 pm Saturday with major flooding.
Major flooding is expected at the Paterson River at Gostwyck Bridge with an expected peak of near 13.30 metres around 03:00 pm Saturday with major flooding.
At Dungog and surrounding areas:
- Low lying farm land may be affected - farmers need to check pumps and equipment andlocal road closures along the Williams River.
- Forsterton Road may close at Forsterton Bridge
- Alison Road (southern end) may close at the Thalaba Bridge
- Glen Williams to Dungog Road may close at the Banfield Bridge, Glen William.
- Possible isolation of Bendolba and Bandon Grove
- Residents and business may experience flooding in Hook and Dowling Streets
- Possible isolation of Alison Road
- Dungog to Stroud Road may close west of Coorel Bridge
- Dowling Street all properties between Hooke Street intersection and Alison Road intersection may become flooded Possible over floor flooding of low lying properties in Dowling, Hooke Brown, Ablalard, Myles, Lord, Hillview, Windeyer, Baird, Burton Streets
- Possible inundation off all of Alison Court Retirement Village
- Closure of Union Bridge may cause the isolation of Dungog
At Mill Dam Falls and surrounding areas:
- Low lying rural properties and roads may be affected by flood waters
- Possible inundation of low lying areas of Williams River Caravan Park
- Properties along east Seaham Road and near Middle Crescent Street need to closely monitor river heights
- Flooding may affect low lying areas of Clarence Town including King, Grey, Durham, Russell Streets
- At Gostwyk Bridge and surrounding areas:
- Low lying rural properties and roads may be affected
- Low level causeway at Horne's Crossing over the Allyn River maybe closed Scotts Dam Road, Paterson-Woodville Road at Dunns Creek and Iona, Woodville -
- Seaham road at Taylor Bridge may close
At Paterson and surrounding areas
- Low lying rural properties and roads may be affected by flood waters
- Tocal Road may be affected by floodwater at various locations including Tucker Park and Clements Bridge
- Maitland Road may close at Swamp Hollow Water may start to flow from the Hunter River into Hinton - this may cause local road closures
- Spillways downstream of Dunmore Bridge to Hinton may overtop - this has the potential to isolate Hinton
- Possible start of inundation into Phoenix Park
- Possible closure of Scotts Dam Road and Paterson Woodville Road at Dunns Creek, Woodville to Seaham Road at Taylor Bridge
- Possible isolation of Paterson due to road closures
- Possible isolation of Bellevue Estate due to road closures At Hinton flood waters may start to impact low lying roads and bridges.
At Maitland: (Belmore Bridge)
- . Melville Ford Bridge at Aberglasslyn is closed
- . Stanhope Road is cut at Kilfoyles Bridge between Luskintyre Road and Lambs Valley Road. Alternate route is via Branxton and Stanhope
- . Windermere Road at Windermere is cut just past Windermere House
Earlier report:
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a moderate to major flood warning for the Paterson and Williams Rivers.
Heavy rainfall has been observed in parts of Barrington Tops overnight Thursday and Friday and forecast into Saturday.
The SES advised late on Friday night that river levels at Dungog may reach the moderate flood level (7.60 metres) overnight Friday with major flooding possible during Saturday.
Major flooding is possible at Mill Dam Falls on Saturday.
Along the Paterson River at Gostwyck Bridge the river level may exceed the moderate flood level (10.7 metres) Saturday morning, with major flooding possible Saturday afternoon.
River Height Predictions
Williams River:
Moderate to Major flooding may occur along the Williams River at Dungog and Mill Dam Falls during Friday night into Saturday.
The Williams River at Dungog may reach the moderate flood level (7.60 m) around 03:00 am Saturday. The river level may peak near 8.50 metres Saturday morning, with major flooding.
Further rises possible.
The Williams River at Mill Dam Falls is likely to exceed the minor flood level (6.10 m) overnight Friday into Saturday. The river level may exceed the moderate flood level (7.60 m) around 06:00 am Saturday and may peak near 9.10 metres Saturday afternoon, with major flooding.
Further rises possible.
Paterson River:
Moderate flooding may occur along the Paterson River at Gostwyck Bridge
The Paterson River at Gostwyck Bridge is expected to exceed the minor flood level (9.10 m) overnight Friday into Saturday. The river level may exceed the moderate flood level (10.70 m) around 06:00 am Saturday and may peak near 11.80 metres around midday Saturday, with moderate flooding.
Further rises possible.
What we are expecting:
At Gostwyk Bridge and surrounding areas:
Low lying rural properties and roads may be affected
Low level causeway at Horne's Crossing over the Allyn River maybe close
Scotts Dam Road, Paterson-Woodville Road at Dunns Creek and Iona, Woodville -SeahamRoad at Taylor Bridge may close
At Paterson and surrounding areas
Low lying rural properties and roads may be affected
Tocal Road may be affected by floodwater at various locations including Tucker Park and Clements Bridge
Maitland Road may close at Swamp Hollow
Possible closure of Scotts Dam Road and Paterson Woodville
Road at Dunns Creek, Woodville to Seaham Road at Taylor Bridge
Possible isolation of Paterson due to road closures
Possible isolation of Bellevue Estate due to road closures
At Hinton flood waters may start to impact low lying roads and bridges.
What you need to do:
- Do not drive, ride or walk through flood water
- Farmers on low lying land close to rivers and creeks are urged to monitor livestock, pumps andother equipment. Waste and chemical containers should be located well above predicted flood levels.
- Residents of low lying areas near the river should keep an active watch on the flood waters.
- Keep in contact with your neighbours.
- Consider impacts of possible road closures on work, family and educational commitments
- Monitoring emergency warnings and severe weather updates on local ABC radio, NSW SESHunter Facebook Page and Bureau of Meteorology website
- If you live in a low-lying area and are advised by an emergency services officer to evacuate,please do so
- If your property is at risk of inundation, please raise moveable items, such as furniture, as highas possible onto benches or tables, placing electrical items on top
For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500. In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.
For more information
The Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC), has been activated to support the severe weather operation.
The Public Information and Inquiry Centre can be contacted by calling 1800 227 228.
Members of the public can contact the Public Information and Inquiry Centre for information relating the severe weather and flooding.
It will operate on a 24 hours basis until at least 5pm on Monday (22 March 2021).
Road information, for local roads contact Dungog Council or log onto https://www.dungog.nsw.gov.au/ .
Road information on State Government managed roads go to the Live Traffic NSW website at http://livetraffic.rta.nsw.gov.au
Rural animal and livestock assistance contact your Local Land Services Office .
You can find more information on the weather in the Paterson River catchment from the Bureau of Meteorology website at www.bom.gov.au