Macleay Valley flood update #50
Published on 26 March 2021
Kempsey Shire Council Flood Update as at 7pm Friday 26 March 2021
KEY CHANGES
• River levels along the Macleay River continue to fall and are now below minor flood levels
• There is no current flood warning for the shire
• The flood relief gates at Kinchela Creek and Belmore River are now closed.
• Hat Head and Crescent Head remain isolated, as do a number of surrounding areas and some up river communities
FLOOD WARNING
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a Final Flood Warning Number 41 for the Macleay River at 9.18pm Thursday 25 March stating that flooding is no longer occurring at Kempsey, with the Macleay River below minor flood levels at Georges Creek, Bellbrook, Kempsey and Smithtown.
For more information: http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/flood/macleayriver.shtml
BRIDGE CLOSURES
Bridges are being inspected as the revel level falls before being declared open. Please exercise caution when crossing.
• Turners Flat Bridge is OPEN
• Sherwood Bridge is CLOSED
• Bellbrook Bridge is CLOSED
• Temagog Bridge is CLOSED
• Toorooka Bridge is CLOSED
• Dungay Creek, Moparrabah Road and Dowlings Falls causeways are CLOSED
ROADS IMPACTED BY FLOODING
• Below is the list of current known road closures. There may be water over or adjacent to other roads - proceed with caution and drive to conditions:
• Water remains over the road in multiple locations. Please do not take unnecessary risks and do not drive through flood waters. Flood damage to road, bridge and drainage infrastructure could be present in several locations, if you are travelling exercise great caution.
• It is expected that key routes such as Hat Head Road, Crescent Head Road and Macleay Valley Way will continue to be impacted by this event.
• Mid North Coast Police have issued a warning to drivers not to attempt to cross the closed Crescent Head Road at the Corduroy.
OPEN
• Macleay Valley Way between Plummers Lane and the Clybucca Rest Area
• Smithtown Road
• Crescent Head Road at Rudders Lagoon
• South West Rocks Road
• Due to a landslip, Armidale Road at Schoolhouse Creek has ONE LANE OPEN. It is expected to remain that way for a number of days.
• Eden Street, Kempsey
• Lighthouse Road at South West Rocks
• Queen Street, South Kempsey
• Rudder Street (north of Bissett Street), East Kempsey
• Collombatti Road
• Mines Road
• Hickeys Creek Road
• Spooners Avenue
• Gowings Hill Road at Dungay Creek
• Old Station Road (Pola Creek area)
CLOSED
• Crescent Head Road at the Corduroy
• Armidale Road between Raspberry Road and Blackbird Flat
• Macleay Valley Way between Kempsey and Frederickton
• Hat Head Road at South West Rocks Road.
• Plummers Lane between Summer Island Road and Macleay Valley Way
• The Gladstone Street / Kemp Street rail underpass
• Sea Street, between Marsh and Dangar Streets, West Kempsey
• Wide Street, between Kemp and Sea Street
• Cochrane Street at Leith Street
• Old Aerodrome Road
• Euroka Road
• Saleyards Road
• Verges Creek Road
• Theresa Street
• Second Lane
• Maria River Road
• Kemp Street between North and Wide Streets
• Loftus Road (Belmore River end) at Crescent Head
• Belmore River Right & Left Bank Roads
• Kinchela Creek Right & Left Bank Roads
• Willi Willi Road west of Moparrabah Road
• Sundowner Road
Roads within the Kempsey CBD remain impacted by localised flooding.
EVACUATION ORDERS
As the combat agency for the flood emergency, NSW SES have issued an 'All Clear' and it is now safe to return to the Kempsey CBD
SES Evacuation Orders remain in place for Low lying areas of the Lower Macleay
FLOODGATES
• The flood gates on Kinchela Creek, Belmore River, Christmas Creek and Euroka Creek are CLOSED
• The flood relief gates at Kinchela Creek and Belmore River are now CLOSED. If tidal activity permits the floodplain to drain through Kinchela Creek or Belmore River the relief gates will be opened.
• Big Hill and Ryans Cut are open to the ocean.
SEWER
Council has sewer pump stations that are underwater and will potentially surcharge when they emerge. Inspection, repair and cleaning will continue over the weekend.
FLOOD WASTE
• All Council waste transfer facilities are open as per normal operating hours.
• Flood Waste will be accepted for free at all facilities, with proof of address required.
• A temporary flood waste facility has been opened on Collombatti Road, north of Frederickton.
• Click through for details of the location, opening hours and process
COUNCIL SERVICES AFFECTED
Check out the updated list of are flood impacts to Council Services.
NEXT UPDATE
This is the last formal flood update.
Council will post updates to our website and Facebook page regarding changes to roads and bridges.