Update as of 8am 20 May 2025
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Flood Watch for parts of the Northern Rivers, Hunter and Mid North Coast regions. This includes the Macleay River, which may experience minor flooding.
A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rain and damaging winds is also in place and includes the Kempsey area.
Rain is expected throughout Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 May.
The Macleay River is currently elevated but stable and is being closely monitored due to forecast rainfall.
You can view the latest warnings at: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/index.shtml
BRIDGES
- Bellbrook Bridge is OPEN
- Toorooka Bridge is OPEN
- Temagog Bridge is OPEN
- Turners Flat Bridge is OPEN
- Sherwood Bridge is OPEN
- Dungay Creek Causeway is OPEN
- Dowlings Falls Causeway is CLOSED
ROADS
- Queen Street at the Causeway is CLOSED
- Gladstone Street Underpass is CLOSED
- Wide Street, between Sea and Kemp Street is CLOSED
Crescent Head Road may CLOSE soon due to flash flooding.
There is water over the road at several locations, drive with caution.
- Macleay Valley Way near Sutherlands Lane
- South West Rocks Road at Austral Eden
- Old Station Road, near the Highway Overpass.
Please do not take unnecessary risks and never drive through flood waters.
For live road and bridge conditions, please check https://www.livetraffic.com
FLOOD MITIGATION
- The flood relief gates at Kinchela Creek and Belmore River are OPEN.
- The flood gates (crossover gates) at Kinchela Creek, Belmore River, Christmas Creek and Euroka Creek are OPEN
These gates will continue to be monitored and may be closed if the river begins to rise significantly in response to forecast rainfall.
Please plan ahead. Council continues to monitor conditions closely and will provide updates as needed.
REPORT ISSUES
Call 6566 3200 or head to https://www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/Your-Valley/Have-your-say/How-can-we-help
STAY INFORMED
- For latest river heights, please head tohttp://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDN60141.html#Macleay_River_to_Georges_Creek
- Listen to your local ABC radio station which can be found at reception.abc.net.au
- Download the Hazards Near Me app and set your watch zones to get warning information for your areas.
