Storm News
and Chasing
[Index][Archives] 		Main Index Home Page Stock Weather Photos Australian Severe Weather Forum Storm News and Storm Chasing Reports Tropical Cyclones / Hurricanes / Typhoons Weather Data and Links Wild Fires / Bushfires Weather Observation Techniques Weather Picture Catalogue Tornado Pictures and Reports Stock Video Footage and DVDs for sale
Lismore Flood Pictures and Wilsons River Flood Height Information / Richmond River Flood Plain
by Michael Bath
This document will be updated as further floods occur or additional information becomes available. If you have any flood photos or reports to share please contact Michael Bath. For current rainfall, river height and flood warnings refer to the Bureau of Meteorology Flood Warning Centre.

Lismore Flooding - Introduction

The Northern Rivers district of NSW, Australia is one of the most flood prone areas of the country outside of the tropics. With Lismore at the junction of two major streams - Leycester Creek and Wilsons River - it is often subject to significant flooding.

Topography and the alignment of the Northern NSW coast relative to prevailing weather patterns allows for prolonged orographically enhanced rainfall events from time to time - particularly during late Summer, Autumn and early Winter. During those months large slow-moving (blocking) high pressure systems are often positioned around 40 degrees south and provide a long fetch of moisture-laden southeast to easterly winds onto the North Coast. Flood producing heavy rainfall can occur if the high combines with a trough, low pressure system, tropical cyclone, upper trough / cold pool and even the monsoon trough. It is not essential for a strong 'blocking' high pressure system to help cause a flood, but it is nearly always present for the major events - as it keeps the rain producing systems in the same area longer. Some examples of flood producing weather patterns:

Lismore aerial photo and location map from Google Maps. Click for larger view.

Lismore aerial photo Lismore map

Richmond River Flood Plain and Catchment Maps

The Wilsons River, Leycester Creek and tributaries upstream from Lismore represent only about one-quarter of the Richmond River catchment, however the majority of flooding occurs in this area and through to Coraki. The Nightcap Range to the north of Lismore, and hills extending through Bangalow to near Alstonville often receive much higher rainfall than the rest of the region due to orographic effects and because it is closer to the coast and the source of rain-bearing clouds. The floodplain is also narrower due to hilly terrain. South and west of Lismore the terrain is quite flat and the floodplain very wide in comparison.

Major flooding of the Richmond River upstream from Coraki requires heavy rainfall west of the Nightcap and Border Ranges and into the eastern parts of the Richmond Range. This occurs far less frequently than Lismore flooding, with February 1954 and January 2008 the stand-out events for Casino, Kyogle and Wiangaree.

Heavy rainfall occurring over the generally flat country and eastern parts of the Richmond Range in the southwest of the catchment contributes to flooding at Coraki, Woodburn and downstream. Heavy rainfall on the southern side of the Alstonville Plateau also affects the Lower Richmond River.

Another part of the catchment is the Teven Valley and North Creek northwest and north of Ballina. Flooding can occur in this area during very heavy rainfall although those waters quickly enter the Richmond River.

Richmond River catchment map source

Richmond River catchment map Richmond River flood plain map

Lismore Flood Heights

Lismore flood level 1974 sign The Lismore flood gauge is on the rowing club building at the western end of Magellan Street (red dot on the Lismore Map) and the figures below are all taken from that point. Australian Height Datum (AHD) was introduced in the late 1990s. AHD flood height measurements are 0.78 metres lower than the old gauge readings that many readers may recall. Flood heights in other parts of Lismore vary depending on a number of factors including the volume and speed of water coming down the Wilsons River and Leycester Creeks, the amount of local flooding due to heavy rain in Lismore, whether the Browns Creek pump is operational and whether levees have or are being overtopped.

The Lismore central business district used to begin flooding when the Wilsons River reached 9.42m AHD. Water would flow into the streets near the old Post Office at the corner of Molesworth and Magellan streets. Major flows into the city would occur by 9.72m AHD with most of the CBD inundated when the river level reached 10.22m AHD.

A concrete wall flood levee was built over a couple of years and finished in March 2005. It protects the CBD from floods up to about 10.65m AHD. Flood waters during major events will still top the levee but will start to enter streets at the Browns Creek spillway on Molesworth Street between Woodlark and Zadoc streets. A long established earthen levee protects South Lismore from all but major floods exceeding 10.95m AHD. North Lismore has no flood protection and is the first area to be cut off.

The highest recorded Lismore flood levels were on 21st February 1954 and 11th March 1974. Signs such as this one are displayed on power poles throughout the city to mark the highest level floodwaters reached.

Tropical cyclone tracking map links are listed where it is known they directly or indirectly contributed to a flood event. Infrared satellite picture loops are available for all flood events since 1983.

Bureau of Meterology flood levels (metres AHD) for the Wilsons River at Lismore
Minor: 4.2
Moderate: 7.2
Major: 9.7

Metres Date   Synoptic situation and notes.
Rainfall figures are 24 hours to 9am on the date shown in millimetres to one decimal place.		 Weather Maps & Satellite Photos
8.77
 8-10th November 1917 
Rain date :   03    04    05    06    07    08    09    10  Nov 1917
Lismore:      33    76    84     0   163   566  1445     0
Ballina:     213     0   102     0   559   823   991     0
 
8.13
 15-17th May 1921 
Rain dates:   09    10    11    12    13    14    15    16    17  May 1921
Lismore:     109    15     0     0     0    10    -   3200     0
Ballina:     762    18    25    61     5   142  2918  1435     0
 
10.79
 22-24th July 1921 Rainfall data suggests the major flood in 1921 would have been May - perhaps the flood heights for May and July have been reversed ? 
Rain dates:   21    22    23    24    25    26  Jul 1921
Lismore:       0   348  1346     0   216     0
Ballina:      36   744  1049     0   135     0
 
n/a
 5-18th March 1925 
Rain dates:   05    06    07    08    09    10    11    12    13    14    15    16    17    18  Mar 1925
Lismore:     452   386   889     0   305   495   673   660     0     0     0   213    71  1367
Ballina:     737    94   274     0  2167   754    43   234   343   201     0   135     0    94
 
n/a
 24-28th January 1927 
Rain dates:   10    11    |     24    25    26    27    28    29  Jan 1927
Lismore:     622   615    |   1300    99   434   389   201    74  
Ballina:    1537   470    |   1473   122   660   864     0   114
 
5.42
 6-16th February 1928 
Rain dates:   06    07    08    09    10    11    12    13    14    15    16    17  Feb 1928
Lismore:     279    64   452   203    15     0     0   333   160   572   180    51 
Ballina:      51    51   521   185    25     0     0    58   114   986   130    46
 
7.75
 1-2nd March 1929 
Rain dates:   25    26    27    28    01    02    03  Feb-Mar 1929
Lismore:      46    36    10    23  1681   432     0
Ballina:      43    43    30    25  1392   574     0
 
5.32
 30th June 1929 
Rain dates:   28    29    30    01    02  Jun-Jul 1929
Lismore:      46   437  1864   170     8
Ballina:       0  1046    -   2073    36
 
10.96
 3-7th February 1931 Height could be lower than this. 
Rain dates:   02    03    04    05    06    07    08  Feb 1931
Lismore:      33   124   838   478  1814  1270     0
Ballina:      15   726  1120   594  2301   429   292
 
5.53
 8-17th March 1937 
Rain dates:   08    09    10    11    12    13    14    15    16    17  Mar 1937
Lismore:     554   119   622    76    53   114     0   432   462   559
Ballina:    2108   917   607    84   127     5     0   462   541   577
 
8.07
 17-21st January 1938 
Rain dates:   15    16    17    18    19    20    21  Jan 1938
Lismore:     198     0   452   157   483   876   224
Ballina:      81     0   137    25   262   538   912
 
8.09
 10-12th April 1938 
Rain dates:   07    08    09    10    11    12  Apr 1938
Lismore:     218    84    81    -   2268   102
Ballina:     124   157   208    -    292    25
 
8.71
 22-27th May 1938 
Rain dates:   19    20    21    22    23    24    25    26    27    28  May 1938
Lismore:      38    38    38    -    904   457   437   665   846     8
Ballina:     160   229   152     0   871   419   124   170   864    15
 
7.96
 4-6th March 1939 
Rain dates:   01    02    03    04    05    06    07  Mar 1939
Lismore:      41    18   109   323   508  1092     0
Ballina:      66    33    86   622   635  1875    64
 
n/a
 2-3rd December 1940 
Rain dates:   30    01    02    03    04  Nov-Dec 1940
Lismore:     805    13   597   330    20
Ballina:      71     0   257  1245    13
 
n/a
 30-31st December 1943 
Rain dates:   26    27    28    29    30    31    01  Dec 1943-Jan 1944
Lismore:      84    74   122    81   561   559   292
Ballina:       0    41    15   157  1102   361  1285
 
n/a
 26-29th January 1944 
Rain dates:   25    26    27    28    29    30    31  Jan 1944
Lismore:      25   531   226   810   635    48   124
Ballina:      97  1062  1552  1034   945     0   300
 
11.29
 11th June 1945 Cyclonic storm. Possibly a deepening low. Rain stopped 6pm Monday. Worst in history. Browns Ck raging torrent over Spinks Bridge. Height may be higher than this. 
Rain dates:   05    06    07    08    09    10    11    12  Jun 1945
Lismore:      18    23   145   168   137   765  2022   889
Ballina:      18    51   460   404   419    -   2362   874
 
6.18
 25th March 1946 
Rain dates:   21    22    23    24    25    26  Mar 1946
Lismore:     216   318   284   262   696   376
Ballina:     142   132   104     0   724   622
 
6.69
 2nd May 1948 
Rain dates:   26    27    28    29    30    01    02    03  Apr-May 1948
Lismore:      66   279    53    99   114   284   622     5
Ballina:     391   777   188   185    53   381    -   1547
[Surface] [Upper]
10.74
 15-18th June 1948 Peak most likely evening of 16th 
Rain dates:   08    09    10    11    12    13    14    15    16    17    18  Jun 1948
Lismore:      53   234    51    51    18     0   239   970  3073   254   193
Ballina:     218   114     0     3     3    15    20   775  1463  1067   208
[Surface] [Upper]
5.37
 1st March 1950 
Rain dates:   13    14    15    16    17    18    19    20     |    24    25    26    27    28    01  Feb-Mar 1950
Lismore:     114   135   239   218    25   432   460    74     |    48    69   292    41   538   274
Ballina:      48   137   503   178     0   434     0   462     |    48   419     0   145   467   112
[Surface] [Upper]
9.48
 24th June 1950 
Rain dates:   18    19    20    21    22    23    24    25    26  Jun 1950
Lismore:     284   549   305   216   356   986   681   478    15
Ballina:       0  1631   528   122   323   853   660    -    521
[Surface] [Upper]
8.87
 27th January 1951 
Rain dates:   16    17    18    19    20    21    22    23    24    25    26    27    28  Jan 1951
Lismore:      91   117    99    48    99     8    18     0   145   259  1146   414    43
Ballina:      94   216   264    30   109     0     8     0    46   546   569   198     0
[Surface] [Upper]
7.81
 18-20th March 1951 
Rain dates:   15    16    17    18    19    20  Mar 1951
Lismore:       8    18    20   239  1298   127
Ballina:       8     5     8    -    820   127
[Surface] [Upper]
5.54
 8th June 1951 
Rain dates:   02    03    04    05    06    07    08  Jun 1951
Lismore:      10    23    41   282    33   533   752
Ballina:      69    -    406   226   279   838   442
[Surface] [Upper]
9.51
 21st February 1953 Creeping flood. 
Rain dates:   16    17    18    19    20    21    22    23    24    25    26  Feb 1953
Lismore:     102   902    61   584   792   615   470   173   577   234    15 
Ballina:     211  2433    91   399  1346  1087    -    625   224   147     5
[Surface] [Upper]
7.21
 20-24th March 1953 
Rain dates:   20    21    22    23    24    25    26  Mar 1953
Lismore:     465   140    48   325   716     5   124
Ballina:     356   282    -    371  1029    33   307
[Surface] [Upper]
12.17
 5am 21st February 1954 Rain depression from ex TC on 9-11th, then Tropical Cyclone 195303 from midday Friday to early Sunday morning. '54 Flood Disaster. Clear skies Sunday. All communications failed. Highest ever peak Lismore (maybe 12.63m), Kyogle, Casino, Nimbin and Murwillumbah. 
Rain dates:   09    10    11    12    13     |    19    20    21    22  Feb 1954
Lismore:      61   201  1077   330    71     |    23  1461  3343     0
Ballina:      33   442  1549   417   163     |    25  1003  2642     0
[Surface] [Upper]
8.95
 14th July 1954 
Rain dates:   09    10    11    12    13    14    15  Jul 1954
Lismore:      10   127   399   229   846   711    51
Ballina:      84    79    -    262   686   620   112
[Surface] [Upper]
8.92
 29th March 1955 
Rain dates:   26    27    28    29    30  Mar 1955
Lismore:       0   114   970   373     5
Ballina:       0    -   1011   422    41
[Surface] [Upper]
6.02
 5-6th April 1955 Low presure system that caused the previous flood a week ago returned. 
Rain dates:   03    04    05    06    07  Apr 1955
Lismore:       0    56   457   843     0
Ballina:       0    15    76   272    69
[Surface] [Upper]
7.14
 1st May 1955 
Rain dates:   27    28    29    30    01    02  Apr-May 1955
Lismore:      28     0   183   851   612     5
Ballina:       0    76    89   356    -    813
[Surface] [Upper]
6.98
 11-13th December 1955 
Rain dates:   09    10    11    12    13    14  Dec 1955
Lismore:      33    20   417  1300  1519     0
Ballina:      28   394    -   2667   198     0
[Surface] [Upper]
11.54
 11pm 18th February 1956 Tropical Cyclone 195511 moving S-SW. Robert White bridge collapsed. Sudden stop to rain Saturday afternoon. Sensational rise at Nimbin. 
Rain dates:   06    07    08    09    10     |    17    18    19    20  Feb 1956
Lismore:     318   391   533   605    28     |    28  2062    33    76
Ballina:     681   183   462   838   170     |    69  1341    -    231
[Surface] [Upper]
5.67
 19-20th June 1958 
Rain dates:   08    09    10     11    |    18    19    20    21  Jun 1958
Lismore:     137   279   381   229     |     8   226   335    76
Ballina:      -    348   455    64     |   404   340   729   188
[Surface] [Upper]
7.07
 6-7th August 1958 
Rain dates:   04    05    06    07    08  Aug 1958
Lismore:      81   869   879   246    33
Ballina:     224  1598  1196   198   196
[Surface] [Upper]
8.14
 21-24th January 1959 Tropical Cyclone 195805 
Rain dates:   18    19    20    21    22    23    24  Jan 1959
Lismore:      51    94    41   521  2055   236    18
Ballina:      -    142    23   737  1720   226    58
[Surface] [Upper]
8.15
 17-20th February 1959 
Rain dates:   16    17    18    19  Feb 1959
Lismore:       0   592  1062     0
Ballina:       0   411   859     0
[Surface] [Upper]
n/a
 18-29th March 1959 
Rain dates:   17    18    19    20    21    22    23    24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31  Mar 1959
Lismore:       0   211   429  1156     0     0     0     0   208   846   447    25   518     0     0
Ballina:      64   218   414  2225    23     0     0     8    28   475    -    229     0    -    876
[Surface] [Upper]
7.22
 9-13th November 1959 
Rain dates:   10    11    12    13    14    15  Nov 1959
Lismore:      81   572   975   503    69    46
Ballina:      89   940   419   612    56    48
[Surface] [Upper]
7.17
 18-20th February 1961 
Rain dates:   16    17    18    19    20    21  Feb 1961
Lismore:     180   107   137  1326   396     0
Ballina:      13    76   201    -   1918     0
[Surface] [Upper]
6.13
 6-8th January 1962 
Rain dates:   06    07    08    09    10    11    12    13    14    15  Jan 1962
Lismore:     729   409   122   975   378     3    76   114   353   851
Ballina:     704    -   1156   292   163     5    71   107    -   1308
[Surface] [Upper]
7.02
 7-9th April 1962 
Rain dates:   02    03    04    05    06    07    08    09  Apr 1962
Lismore:      76    13    25   249   495   889   127     0
Ballina:     203    10   107     0   879  1740    -    401
[Surface] [Upper]
11.36
 11am 11th July 1962 Cyclonic depression off Gold Coast. Highest ever peak Repentance Ck, The Channon, Bentley. Flood firsts - NRTV, Northern Star uninterrupted production. 
Rain dates:   06    07    08    09    10    11    12  Jul 1962
Lismore:      23    66   132   643  2156  1354   173
Ballina:     163   483    -   1181  1466   729   150
[Surface] [Upper]
5.74
 1-2nd January 1963 
Rain dates:   23    24    25    26    27    28    29    30    31    01    02  Dec 1962-Jan 1963
Lismore:     168   980    79   589   218   180    71    99    64   455   500
Ballina:      -   1328    -    587    15    28   173    -    102   335   216
[Surface] [Upper]
6.11
 15-18th March 1963 
Rain dates:   14    15    16    17    18    19    20  Mar 1963
Lismore:     112   338   188   645   381    28    61
Ballina:     127   422   203    -    876    18    10
[Surface] [Upper]
5.29
 26-28th April 1963 
Rain dates:   23    24    25    26    27    28    29  Apr 1963
Lismore:       0   119   112   114   691   688     0
Ballina:     465   965    -    229  1356    -    973
[Surface] [Upper]
11.06
 7pm 8th May 1963 Trough in central western districts. Upper low then surface low off Cape Byron Tuesday night. All North Coast flooded. Equal highest peak Bentley. 
Rain dates:   04    05    06    07    08    09    10  May 1963
Lismore:       0   112   348   607  2055   163   198
Ballina:     203   152   338  1041  2342    76    48
[Surface] [Upper]
5.51
 26-27th March 1964 
Rain dates:   25    26    27    28  Mar 1964
Lismore:       5   950   483     5
Ballina:      66   381    -    290
[Surface] [Upper]
10.43
 1am 21st July 1965 Very cold southerly, then rain depression moving south. Possibly similar to September 1988. Only 6 raindays in whole month. Worst drought in years. Deepfreeze over state. Snow in Sydney. 1st flood for the Tuckombil Flood Canal. Waterspout off Cape Byron. 
Rain dates:   18    19    20    21    22  Jul 1965
Lismore:       0   340  2065   592     0
Ballina:      -    356  1702   378     0
[Surface] [Upper]
5.51
 9-11th June 1966 
Rain dates:   08    09    10    11    12  Jun 1966
Lismore:       0   198   127  1542     5
Ballina:     168   439   145  1168    10
[Surface] [Upper]
10.27
 11am 19th March 1967 Tropical Cyclones Elaine and Dulcie combined. Record floods in north Queensland. 
Rain dates:   14    15    16    17    18    19    20  Mar 1967
Lismore:     132    74   196   104   798  1011     3
Ballina:     218   119   102    25  1600   902   114
[Surface] [Upper]
8.20
 3am 13th June 1967 Lows off SE Queensland coast. 1030hp high 
Rain dates:   10    11    12    13    14    15  Jun 1967
Lismore:     292   572   638   345  1496   107
Ballina:     216    -     -   1189   224    81
[Surface] [Upper]
9.49
 4pm 14th June 1967 Lows off SE Queensland coast. 1030hp high. Worst flooding on the Gold Coast in 25yrs. Grafton badly hit. 2nd peak in Lismore. 
Rain dates:   10    11    12    13    14    15  Jun 1967
Lismore:     292   572   638   345  1496   107
Ballina:     216    -     -   1189   224    81
[Surface] [Upper]
5.09
 11am 23rd June 1967 Another low off the coast moving quickly south. 
Rain dates:   21    22    23    24    25    26    27    28    29  Jun 1967
Lismore:     157   371   287     0    10   841   338   272    79
Ballina:     170   305   345     0    -    559   191   140   119
[Surface] [Upper]
6.79
 2am 28th June 1967 Complex trough and depression off coast near Cape Byron. 1030hp high. Seas batter coast. 4th June flood peak. 
Rain dates:   21    22    23    24    25    26    27    28    29  Jun 1967
Lismore:     157   371   287     0    10   841   338   272    79
Ballina:     170   305   345     0    -    559   191   140   119
[Surface] [Upper]
5.75
 10-13th January 1968 
Rain dates:   09    10    11    12    13    14    15  Jan 1968
Lismore:      48   856   775   427   711     3   170
Ballina:     196   559   173     0    76     0    23
[Surface] [Upper]
6.69
 8-10th December 1970 
Rain dates:   07    08    09    10    11  Dec 1970
Lismore:     236   419  1316   876     0
Ballina:     351   305  1052   792     8
[Surface] [Upper]
6.41
 17-19th February 1971 
Rain dates:   16    17    18    19    20    21  Feb 1971
Lismore:      53   165   653   218   221    15
Ballina:     135   163   226    33   107    64
[Surface] [Upper]
9.43
 6pm 13th February 1972 Tropical Cyclones Daisy and Wendy. 1036hp high. Severe beach erosion. 1st test for Browns Creek Pump which cut the flood peak by feet. 
Rain dates:   10    11    12    13    14  Feb 1972
Lismore:      91    36   343  1135    28
Ballina:      33    33   312   795    43
[Surface] [Upper]
5.67
 8-9th March 1972 
Rain dates:   05    06    07    08    09  Mar 1972
Lismore:      69   152    69   655   384 
Ballina:     191   483   142   371   495
[Surface] [Upper]
5.07
 3-4th April 1972 Tropical Cyclone Emily 
Rain dates:   01    02    03    04    05  Apr 1972
Lismore:       0   122  1029    15     0
Ballina:      56     0   574   117     0
[Surface] [Upper]
10.09
 6am 29th October 1972 Upper disturbance -> low in north of state. 1030hp high. FirstOctober flood. Browns Ck Pump kept water 1m lower in basin. Record rainfalls for year and month. 
Rain dates:   17    18    19     |    25    26    27    28    29    30  Oct 1972
Lismore:     569   439   544     |   262     0   500  1275  1283   137
Ballina:     343   554   572     |   206     0   610  1146  1519   119
[Surface] [Upper]
5.62
 14-17th February 1973 
Rain dates:   12    13    14    15    16    17    18  Feb 1973
Lismore:     279   165   122  1331   353   516    28
Ballina:      91    74   231   254   691   330    51
[Surface] [Upper]
9.13
 6pm 27th January 1974 Tropical Cyclone Wanda and intense rain depression moving SE from NW Queensland. Australia Day Flood. Massive flooding in Brisbane - worst of the century. 
Rain dates:   24    25    26    27    28    29  Jan 1974
Lismore:       1   505   330   748   146     0
Ballina:       0   342   358   800    32    10
[Surface] [Upper]
12.17
 am 11th March 1974 Upper disturbance and very small localised low pressure. 1028hp high. '74 Flood. South Lismore levee breached. Shock flood worst ever. Highest ever peaks Wyrallah, Tuckarimba, Coraki, Woodburn, Bungawalbyn. Brisbane 2nd Flood. 
Rain dates:   08    09    10    11    12    13    14  Mar 1974
Lismore:      18     8  2463    -   3280   508     0
Ballina:       0     0  2070  3740   620   222    18
[Surface] [Upper]
9.81
 am 13th March 1974 Tropical Cyclone Zoe moving rapidly south. '74 Flood - second hit. 
Rain dates:   08    09    10    11    12    13    14  Mar 1974
Lismore:      18     8  2463    -   3280   508     0
Ballina:       0     0  2070  3740   620   222    18
[Surface] [Upper]
8.97
 3pm 23rd April 1974 Upper disturbances in north of state. 1030hp high. 
Rain dates:   20    21    22    23    24    25    26    27    28  Apr 1974
Lismore:      25   239  1034  1064   124    25   134   116   145     
Ballina:     200   402  1140  1248   100    62   244   348   280
[Surface] [Upper]
7.52
 4pm 3rd June 1974 1030hp high. Small low off border. Flood peril returns. 10 years to recover. 
Rain dates:   30    31    01    02    03    04    05  May-Jun 1974
Lismore:       0    58   448   575  1034   200     0
Ballina:     110   272   840   310   360   338    86
[Surface] [Upper]
10.53
 12pm 3rd March 1975 Upper disturbance then surface low off the coast. 1030hp high. SES spot on with predictions. Waterspout or tornado Lennox Head. 
Rain dates:   24    25    26    27    28    01    02    03    04  Feb-Mar 1975
Lismore:     604   873   310     0   440    12  1420  1530     0
Ballina:     312   778   518     0   220   580  1022  1212    16
[Surface] [Upper]
7.62
 6am 12th February 1976 Tropical depression moving across country. ex TC. Weak high. Tabulam devastated - worst flood ever. 
Rain dates:   10    11    12    13    14  Feb 1976
Lismore:      14  1291   138    16    40 
Ballina:      20  1176   214    52     0
[Surface] [Upper]
10.14
 9am 29th February 1976 Upper disturbances. NE winds from weak high then Tropical Cyclone Colin. Leap year flood. Wilsons river currents - 4ft/hr rise. Sirens used. Teven devastated. Highest ever peak Nashua, Eltham, Tatham. Federal recorded 290mm of rain in just 4 hours. 
Rain dates:   22    23    24    25    26    27    28    29    01  Feb-Mar 1976
Lismore:     400   340    36     0     0  1080   160   846     0
Ballina:     196   142     8     8     0   240   990  2258    12
[Surface] [Upper]
9.97
 12pm 19th March 1978 1034hp high cradling deepening low moving SW. Mt Nardi Deluge - 660mm 
Rain dates:   15    16    17    18    19    20  Mar 1978
Lismore:     240   200   464  1000   651    10
Ballina:     174    90   230  1060   798     0
[Surface] [Upper]
9.53
 7am 10th May 1980 Strengthening high and small low moving S. Rain a boost to district - a lot more needed though. 
Rain dates:   02    03    04    05    06    07    08    09    10    11  May 1980
Lismore:      16   190   450   360   400   516   410  1040   594   110
Ballina:     280   342   214   554   744   324   320   640   180   300
[Surface] [Upper]
8.18
 4pm 23rd June 1983 1028hp high, upper disturbance and small low moving S. 1st satellite photos in paper. 
Rain dates:   17    18    19    20    21    22    23    24  Jun 1983
Lismore:     130    66   252   453    94   362  1036    38
Ballina:     226   336    72   702   182   300   512    54
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
9.84
 1am 10th April 1984 Tropical Cyclone Lance and northern NSW low. 1030hp high. Gales. Major flood a close thing. House With No Steps losses great. 
Rain dates:   06    07    08    09    10    11  Apr 1984
Lismore:     100     8   550  1622   374   170
Ballina:      22     0   548  1288   102    44
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
10.43
 8am 6th March 1987 Small low off Tweed Heads which formed from Ex TC 'Elsie' after it crossed country. 1030hp high. Lismore ready for major flood. Worst since 74. Rocky Ck dam full. Drought preceded flood - especially on Gold Coast. 
Rain dates:   02    03    04    05    06    07  Mar 1987
Lismore:       0   218   374  1320   813    24
Ballina:      40   380    90  1500  1050     4
[Satellite] [MSL Charts] [Surface] [Upper]
10.78
 8am 11th May 1987 Slow moving 1037hp high and upper air disturbance. Mothers Day Flood. 2nd major inundation in 2 months - only year to have two major floods. 
Rain dates:   06    07    08    09    10    11    12  May 1987
Lismore:      20   136   206   378   780  1200   184
Ballina:       0   128   102   131   540  1440    62
[Satellite] [MSL Charts] [Surface] [Upper]
9.10
 10am 7th April 1988 Tropical low moving across country -> upper disturbances and lows off SE Queensland. Easter Flood. Floods in red centre, NSW and QLD 
Rain dates:   01    02    03    04    05    06    07    08  Apr 1988
Lismore:     584   208    64  1136   402   354   654    32
Ballina:     740   150   110   608   240   410  1690    20
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
9.46
 5pm 12th April 1988 Small low and upper disturbance. 1038hp high. Longest flood. Woodburns worst - not highest. 2nd peak in Lismore in a week. Tropical Cyclone Dovi 
Rain dates:   09    10    11    12    13    14  Apr 1988
Lismore:      14   224   450   584    44     8
Ballina:       0   720   500   840    90     0
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
4.42
 6th June 1988 
Rain dates:   01    02    03    04    05    06  Jun 1988
Lismore:      34    68    43   104   962   146
Ballina:       4    68    20    14   480    90
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
6.94
 11pm 16th September 1988 Deepening low moving down coast. 1030hp ridging high. Rain stopped just in time. First September flood. 
Rain dates:   12    13    14    15    16  Sep 1988
Lismore:      40    28   180  1708    74
Ballina:      40    22   560   910    70
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
4.72
 19th December 1988 
Rain dates:   15    16    17    18    19    20  Dec 1988
Lismore:      26   242   148   172   358    48
Ballina:     158   258    80   230   448    49
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
5.22
 29th January 1989 Two weak lows moving down coast. 1020hp high. 
Rain dates:   23    24    25    26    27    28    29  Jan 1989
Lismore:     440   265   114    24     0   724    94
Ballina:     172   550    86   188   150   289   489
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
11.28
 11am 2nd April 1989 Multiple upper disturbances. Slow moving 1037hp high. April Fools Day Flood. Leycester Ck pushed back Wilsons. Incredible rise of river. South Lismore levee breached. Oil flood. Tropical Cyclone Aivu North QLD. 
Rain dates:   31    01    02    03    04  Mar-Apr 1989
Lismore:      10   568  2098    36   190
Ballina:      19   230   320    66   120
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
9.15
 6am 27th April 1989 Upper low then deepening surface low moving down coast. 1034hp high weakening. 2nd flood in a month. Cyclonic wind - Easterly then calm then Westerly. 
Rain dates:   22    23    24    25    26    27    28  Apr 1989
Lismore:      28   376   272   182   720   220     4
Ballina:      40   855   375    30   496   209    18
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
8.10
 pm 3rd February 1990 Tropical Cyclone Nancy with well developed upper trough extending to Victoria along coast. 1026hp high over NZ and 1034hp high over Bight. Major flooding in Sydney and Hunter Valley. Eye of cyclone crossed Cape Byron - calm for a short time. 
Rain dates:   30    31    01    02    03    04  Jan-Feb 1990
Lismore:     124     8   448   296  1150   146
Ballina:    1020     0   236   135  1020   230
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
5.72
 am 7th April 1990 Upper air disturbance - ex TC Ivor and 1036hp high centred in the Tasman Sea. Minor flooding in Lismore, moderate flooding Clarence River. The remains of TC Ivor as an upper low, continued for two more weeks and caused the worst flooding ever for western NSW and Qld. 
Rain dates:   03    04    05    06    07    08  Apr 1990
Lismore:       4    90  1020   394     0   484
Ballina:     210    20  1290   460     0   300
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
7.27
 2pm 13th December 1991 Slow moving front and upper air disturbance combined to form an east coast low, which then moved south. 1026hp high in the Tasman Sea. Moderate flooding in Lismore and Murwillumbah. Two deaths. Heavy rain for only 24 hours. Severe flooding at Nimbin with 300mm in one night caused probably the worst flooding ever there. 
Rain dates:   11    12    13    14  Dec 1991
Lismore:       0   558  1764     6
Ballina:       0   370  1420     0
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
5.75
 4th March 1994 
Rain dates:   01    02    03    04    05    06    07    08  Mar 1994
Lismore:     620   536   692   306    36   136    10   120
Ballina:     540   510   790   360   340    20     0   160
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
6.76
 16th February 1995 
Rain dates:   12    13    14    15    16    17    18  Feb 1995
Lismore:      42   262    82   540   812   160   138
Ballina:       1   190    70   530  1000     2    16
[Satellite] [Surface] [Upper]
7.12
 9pm 3rd May 1996 
Rain dates:   01    02    03    04    05    06    07    08  May 1996
Lismore:     394   836   606    84    94    48   664     0
Ballina:     480   670   380    30    20     6   860    60
[Satellite] [MSL Charts] [Upper]
7.78
 11am 7th May 1996 Rainfall figures suggest another flood was possible about 17th May. 
Rain dates:   01    02    03    04    05    06    07    08  May 1996
Lismore:     394   836   606    84    94    48   664     0
Ballina:     480   670   380    30    20     6   860    60
[Satellite] [MSL Charts] [Upper]
5.20
 11pm 14th January 2000   [Satellite] [MSL Charts] [Upper]
10.42
 6pm 2nd February 2001   [Satellite] [MSL Charts] [Upper]
8.34
 10th March 2001   [Satellite] [MSL Charts] [Upper]
7.50
 12pm 6th March 2004   [Satellite] [MSL Charts] [Upper]
10.20
 10pm 30th June 2005   [Satellite] [MSL Charts] [Upper]
7.85
 12pm 20th January 2006   [Satellite] [MSL Charts] [Upper]
5.95
 1pm 6th March 2006   [Satellite] [MSL Charts] [Upper]
9.40
 6pm 5th January 2008 
Rain Dates:     26    27    28    29    30    31    01    02    03    04    05    06  Dec 2007-Jan 2008
Alstonville:     0    18   570    32    30   222   240   360   320  1064   580    36
Ballina:         0     4   630    30    20   150    -    190   210  1530   340     8
Casino:          0    92    38    36     0   114   146   250   186  1362   274     2
Lismore:        34     4   346    66    12   230   338   380   266   996   714   100
Murwillumbah:  124   160   150    16     8   234   550   192   142  1010  2000   218
Tabulam:        40   146    28    68     8   122   392   240   292   264  1702   104
[Satellite] [MSL Charts] [Upper]
Metres Date   Synoptic situation and notes.
Rainfall figures are 24 hours to 9am on the date shown in millimetres to one decimal place.		 Weather Maps & Satellite Photos

Flood Pictures

11th May 1987 flood pictures11th May 1987

The Mother's Day Flood: Lismore was hit with an unprecedented second major flood event in the space of two months. These flood pictures were taken overlooking the Lismore basin then around the central business district. The flood peak had dropped about 20cm by this time.
[11th May 1987 Pictures]

27th April 1989 Lismore flood pictures27th April 1989

Two floods in one month! After the biggest flood since 1974 hit the region on 2nd April 1989, a second flood for the same calendar month occurred. A few photos were taken near the Lismore rowing club and Browns Creek pump.
[27th April 1989 Pictures]

1st February 2001 McLeans Ridges flood pictures 2nd February 2001 Lismore flood pictures2nd February 2001

Major flooding returns to the Lismore region - it had been 12 years since the last major flood to hit Lismore. This CBD inundation proved to be the final straw to get the Lismore flood levee built. The pictures on the 1st were taken near Eltham, and on the 2nd near Eltham and in the Lismore CBD.
[1st Feb 2001 Pictures] [2nd Feb 2001 Pictures] [Event Report]

9th March 2001 McLeans Ridges flood pictures 10th March 2001 Lagoon Grass flood pictures10th March 2001

Major flooding along the Clarence River occurred this time with a smaller event in Lismore. The flood photos are taken of the Wilsons River at Eltham and along the Bangalow Road leading into Lismore.
[9th Mar 2001 Pictures] [10th Mar 2001 Pictures]

30th June 2005 Lismore flood pictures 1st July 2005 McLeans Ridges flood pictures30th June 2005

Just three months after the Lismore CBD flood levee was finished, it was given its first test. Major flooding peaked at the low end of the major level. It illustrated how well the levee worked in protecting the CBD from 90 per cent of floods that occur in the region. The flood photographs are taken near Eltham and around Lismore.
[30th Jun 2005 Pictures] [1st Jul 2005 Pictures] [Event Report]

19th January 2006 McLeans Ridges flood pictures 20th January 2006 Lismore flood pictures 21st January 2006 Boat Harbour flood pictures20th January 2006

Moderate flooding along the Wilsons River into Lismore with a major flood in the Brunswick Valley. The pictures are taken around Eltham and Lismore.
[19th Jan 2006 Pictures] [20th Jan 2006 Pictures] [21st Jan 2006 Pictures]

4th March 2006 Wooyung flood pictures6th March 2006

Moderate flooding and wild seas occurred due to an intense low off the coast. The river peak in Lismore was quite slow to arrive with floodwaters persisting from the 4th to the 6th. The pictures are taken near Eltham and the Tweed Coast.
[4th March 2006 Pictures]

5th January 2008

4th January 2008 Lismore flood pictures 5th January 2008 Kyogle flood pictures 6th January 2008 McKees Hill flood pictures 7th January 2008 Coraki flood pictures 8th January 2008 Coraki flood pictures 9th January 2008 Coraki flood pictures

Major flooding occurred along the Richmond River in January 2008 with Kyogle hit hard. Lismore was lucky and only saw moderate flooding. Most low lying areas along the Richmond River were inundated with some record stream rises.

[4th Jan 2008 Flood Pictures] taken from McLeans Ridges, Eltham, Boatharbour and Lismore.
[5th Jan 2008 Flood Pictures] taken at South Lismore, Fairy Hill, Casino, Leycester, Rock Valley, Kyogle and Lismore.
[6th Jan 2008 Flood Pictures] taken McKees Hill to Clovass on the Bruxner Hwy.
[7th Jan 2008 Flood Pictures] taken from a NSW State Emergency Service (SES) helicopter between Lismore and Coraki including stranded cattle rescued along the Wilsons River near Coraki.
[8th Jan 2008 Flood Pictures] taken between Lismore and Coraki from the SES chopper, and at Coraki.
[9th Jan 2008 Flood Pictures] taken around Coraki from the SES helicopter then during two SES flood boat operations.

Document: lismore_flood_pictures_reports.htm
Updated: 20th June 2008 		[Australian Severe Weather index] [Copyright Notice] [Email Contacts] [Search This Site]