7 of 10 SINKING & TILTING: Australia: The flood situation on the NSW mid-north coast is steadily worsening! / Fiji - "One of the worst floods ever" This is worse than the flood in 2009 !

An aerial shot of a flooded villager near the Ba coast. Fiji

Australia TILTING and BACKWAHING:

/ The flood situation on the NSW mid-north coast is steadily worsening with heavy rain in the region. /

BACKWASHING PROOF AGAIN-

/ More than 500 millimetres in three days, combined with a king tide, pushed rivers in New South Wales' far north beyond their banks, spilling water onto surrounding roads and into low-lying houses and caravans.Source /

/ Thousands more people on the NSW north coast could be forced to leave their homes and campervans on Australia Day as floodwaters continue to rise. Source /

/ FLOODING has again cut in half the town of Bellingen on the North Coast.
The Bellinger River first burst its banks on Tuesday, submerging the town’s only bridge and inundating homes. Source /

Australia -

Fiji:

/ 'Worse than 2009' BA remained closed to all people and vehicular traffic yesterday in what has been termed "one of the worst floods ever". With further rain forecast for the Western Division until the weekend, there are fears that floodwaters could rise to record heights in the next few days. Ba special administrator Arun Prasad said he had never seen anything like it. "This is worse than the flood in 2009 because of the duration and disruption to services and business. Elevated parts of Ba Town are under five to right feet of water while lower areas are under as much as 15 feet of water," he said. /

/ FARMERS are losing livestock and seawater is inundating flat land as flooding continues to ravage the Western and Northern divisions. Given the fact that flooding occurs all over the Western Division /

/ Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki said Nadi and Ba had been the worst hit with most villages, settlements and surburbs under water. /

/ Twenty four people from four families in Qalau, Rakiraki have lost almost all their belongings after 5 feet water flooded their home. /

PEOPLE evacuated after floodwaters gushed into their homes in a settlement outside Nadi Town.

Indonesia SINKING:

BIG WAVE Effects sinking:

/ In the Java Sea waters north of East Java (East Java) wave height ranged from 0.8 to 3.5 meters, while in southern Java between 1.5 - 5 meters. /

/ As many as 37 people from 15 families living on the edge of the beach Cipatuguran, Kampung Camara, District Palabuhanratu, Sukabumi regency, West Java, were displaced by sea waves touching their home on Wednesday (25/01/2012) evening.

Seawater into the mainland as far as 50 meters, which according to residents has never happened before. /

/ High waves in the Java sea winds hit fishing village in Tambaklorok, District of North Semarang, Semarang, Central Java. A total of 18 houses damaged and 620 houses are submerged in sea water. 620 houses submerged in sea water as high as 30-60 cm. /

/ Dozens of houses and shops are located in coastal areas in the District of Coast Palabuhanratu precisely Palabuhanratu rob flooded due to high tides and some flood-affected residents temporarily evacuated. "Flood rob occurred since Wednesday night, 25 / 1 and until Thursday morning, 26 / 1 tides are still inundated dozens of shops and residential area with a high around the ankle and even adults calf-high until there is an adult," /

/ High winds and high waves in the sea around Bali in the last two days, besides disturbing the pedestrian activity in a number of ports, also have an impact on world tourism. Kuta Beach is an icon of tourism in Bali was closed for the activity in the water, on Thursday (1/26/2012) morning until this afternoon, because the height of the waves reach 3 meters. /

Pakistan SINKING FINISH:

Around 1,972 kilometres of land is still under water in Badin, Sanghar, Umerkot and Mirpurkhas.

Pakistan:

Sindh’s 75 percent children school-less: survey
KARACHI - Last year’s devastating monsoon rains in Sindh and the following floods completely damaged 1,342 government schools in the southern districts of the province, while 2,638 schools were partially damaged, revealed a report issued on Tuesday by the People’s Accountability Commission on Floods (PACF) – a collaborative venture of several civil society organisations.
The floods that devastated standing crops and inundated vast areas, displaced more than 90 million people as per official figures, besides badly affecting road infrastructure, heritage sites and religious places.
It was stated in the report that during the “super floods” of 2010, around 8,000 government schools were damaged and despite the passage of more than 18 months, the government has not renovated the schools so far.
“In 2011, devastating rains and breaches in the Left Bank Outfall Drain damaged more schools in an already precarious condition, almost halting the educational process in the most backward areas of the province,” the PACF observed in the report.
The PACF recommended renovation of schools damaged in the flood-hit districts of Sindh to ensure that the displaced children remain in schools.
“In Sindh, around 75 percent school-going children are now out of schools. The children have been deprived of education as schools have not been renovated or repaired by the government, nor any viable arrangements made for students to continue their education.”
The government could not achieve its target of imparting education to 388,509 students who were affected due to the 2010 floods and could provide educational facilities to only 29 percent of students. “It is of grave concern to the civil society that only 10 percent schools have been rehabilitated out of 10,348.”
The government authorities could not allocate the specified budget during flash appeal 2011 for uplifting the school damaged during rains and floods in 2011 in the lower districts of Sindh. Due its slow response, the government could not meet the required targets and 54 percent of children were deprived of education as well as basic food and health facilities.
The report revealed that government response during the floods of 2010 and 2011 was very unsatisfactory to cope with challenges faced by flood-affected communities. The floods and rains badly damaged the infrastructure of the education sector in the affected districts, there was 70 percent loss of learning material in schools and the drop out ratio is 20 percent.
The PACF said that the children between the ages of five and 17, especially girls, dropped out of schools. Around 38 percent boys and girls have dropped out in the flood-affected districts of Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Umerkot , Tando Allahyar , Tando Mohammad Khan , Shaheed Benazirabad and Tharparkar.
The flood-affected communities complained that they are not sending their children to schools, because they are closed, the roads are destroyed, schools are being used as shelters and teachers are absent.
The PACF recommended that water should be drained from the affected districts of the Sindh.
Around 1,972 kilometres of land is still under water in Badin, Sanghar, Umerkot and Mirpurkhas.
The PACF recommended that the government should set up temporary learning centres in the areas where infrastructure is completely destroyed.
“Parent-teacher committees and school management committees should be reactivated and strengthened. Participatory approach by involving the community in the process of flood response can guarantee sustainability of structure and self-reliance.”

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/01/sindh%E2%80%99s-75-percent-...

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Indonesia:

Fishermen's Village in Hyderabad hit by wave

SEMARANG - MICOM: high waves in the Java sea winds hit fishing village in Tambaklorok, District of North Semarang, Semarang, Central Java. A total of 18 houses damaged and 620 houses are submerged in sea water.

Media Monitoring of Indonesia in Semarang on Thursday (26 / 1) Java sea wave height is still a threat, both for shipping and residents residing in the northern coast of Java. Waves and strong winds huge waves swept fishing settlement located about 5-10 feet in Tambaklorok, District of North Semarang, Semarang City.

Dozens of homes were damaged due to either heavy or light hit the waves that have occurred since Wednesday (25 / 1) as wall collapses, the foundation is destroyed, and the house collapsed, while hundreds of other homes inundated with water height 30-60 inches.

Hundreds of residents assisted police, military, and also Satpol PP Semarang berupaaya doing home improvements since the start of sea waves raged, even dozens of families were forced to evacuate and temporarily evacuated because the house is occupied quite dangerous.

"For the moment we were evacuated, because the house we are living partly swept waves and some almost collapsed," said Sukarti, 46, Tambaklorok residents, the city of Semarang.

The data collected at Semarang city administration said that raged from the waves was recorded 5 units of houses were severely damaged, 13 lightly damaged housing units, and 620 houses submerged in sea water as high as 30-60 cm.

Chairman of RT 01 RW 15 Sub tambaklorok, District of North Semarang, Semarang Mashuri, 38, said large waves suddenly came in at 2:00 pm after the previous high tides occur (Rob).

"People are panicking immediately evacuated to his home by officers combined BPBD, Basarnas, Kesbangpolinmas, and local youth task force," he said.

The high waves that directly hit houses, so Mashuri, accompanied by floods due to breaking waves rob the existing damage, so that sea water directly hit villages pendudik who work as fishermen.

Previous waves of the sea have also been destroyed homes, after a large wave dragged a barge laden timber ship crashed into the house until the fisherman, even sebauah duck cages were also destroyed and swept away by waves resulting in 950 dead ducks.

Semarang Mayor Soemarmo directly reviewing such a large wave disaster site and handed over foodstuff and medicines, but was ordered to immediately assist disaster victims.

"Settlements were already unfit for residence for endangering the safety of citizens," said Soemarmo.

However, relocation of residents residing at the edge of the beach, so Soemarmo, also requires its own thinking. In addition to requiring a wide area, construction costs are also not small.

"We're still going to learn to mengaytasi these conditions, among them building a beach as a safety belt," he added. (AS/OL-10)

http://www.mediaindonesia.com/read/2012/01/26/294111/289/101/Perkam...

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Dozens of houses and shops were submerged in Pelabuhanratu rob

Sukabumi (AFP) - Dozens of houses and shops are located in coastal areas in the District of Coast Palabuhanratu precisely Palabuhanratu rob flooded due to high tides and some flood-affected residents temporarily evacuated.

"Flood rob occurred since Wednesday night, 25 / 1 and until Thursday morning, 26 / 1 tides are still inundated dozens of shops and residential area with a high around the ankle and even adults calf-high until there is an adult," said Chairman of the Board Search and Rescue Region (Basarda) Sukabumi, Okih Fajri Assidiqie told AFP on Thursday morning.

From pantuan it, there are about 30 stalls are also used as shelter residents along the road Citepus, District Palabuhanratu flooded. Then the four heads of households who inhabit the stalls at the beach Karangsari, Village / District Palabuhanratu evacuated because his condition was alarming.

While reported, dozens of houses in the village of Pine RT03/32 rob any flood-affected, the sea water had already entered kepemukiman homes and some have started there who fled to higher ground. "The whole settlement and residents who flooded stalls located at the shoreline, so tide the water comes directly to the page and in the home, "he added.

However, until this news was revealed, according Okih no citizens to be casualties in this incident, because almost every year during monsoon season arrives always there was a flood like this. So that people living in coastal areas had anticipated.

"We are however urged to be vigilant and do not push to stay indoors if conditions or flood tide the sea water kept rising rob. We had been alerted dozens of members of the SAR to monitor local conditions," said Okih. (ANT)

http://www.antaranews.com/berita/294470/puluhan-rumah-dan-warung-te...

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Large waves, Kuta Beach Closed

KUTA, KOMPAS.com - high winds and high waves in the sea around Bali in the last two days, besides disturbing the pedestrian activity in a number of ports, also have an impact on world tourism. Kuta Beach is an icon of tourism in Bali was closed for the activity in the water, on Thursday (1/26/2012) morning until this afternoon, because the height of the waves reach 3 meters.

In fact, the tide had overflowed up to about 50 meters from the beach and close to the highway. Because it's dangerous to tourists, the manager decided to impose a ban beach swimming, and approaching the shore. "For the moment, we restrict tourist activity on the beach, good bathing, swimming or surfing," said Chairman of the Kuta Beach Task Force, I Gusti Ngurah Tresna, this afternoon.

In order to socialize this prohibition, Kuta beach task force officers assisted Balawista put a red flag pictorial skull along the coastline and provide a verbal announcement through a megaphone.

Sarah Puspita, one of the tourists from Jakarta who heard the ban was eventually returned to the hotel for safety. "When you get to the beach, beach officials announced there are tidal waves. The sea water is also very murky and very strong winds such as hurricanes," said Sarah.

http://regional.kompas.com/read/2012/01/26/16044413/Gelombang.Besar...

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High waves, 15 Families Displaced

Palabuhanratu, KOMPAS.com - As many as 37 people from 15 families living on the edge of the beach Cipatuguran, Kampung Camara, District Palabuhanratu, Sukabumi regency, West Java, were displaced by sea waves touching their home on Wednesday (25/01/2012) evening.

They fled in a tent at 18.30 to the Social Service Sukabumi built, not far from the original neighborhood. In shelters, people sleeping in tents lined with mattresses that they move from home.

Neighborhoods are located only about 10 meters from the beach. Never built dikes of sand bags as high as 1.5 meters. But when the wave hit, the embankment was a mess.

Residents worry about sleeping at home because the waves are high enough, though not to damage the walls of their huts woven bamboo. Seawater into the mainland as far as 50 meters, which according to residents has never happened before.

"We propose to Social Services to make tents and move temporarily, until the waves subsided," said Rahmat Wahyudi, Chairman of the Society Youth Disaster Preparedness Sukabumi, Thursday (26/01/2012).

http://regional.kompas.com/read/2012/01/26/07463563/Gelombang.Tingg...

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Access to the Regional Tourism tumbles Kadiri Closed Due to Trees

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KEDIRI - The path to the waterfall tourist sites in the hamlet Irenggolo Besuki, Jugo Village, District Mojo, Kediri regency, East Java, was closed due to fallen trees brunt of the tornado on Wednesday evening.

Government Officers Coverage Section Kediri Sutarjo suggests the government is coordinating with Perhutani, as the owner of a fallen tree.
"Obviously, we expect a fallen tree was soon cleared. We would expect, the location path can be bypassed again, for both residents and visiting activities for tourists," he said.

He said the government is also still doing the data collection associated with the tornado disaster that occurred in the mountainous area of the Wilis.

From the interim report, there are three houses damaged, including homes and Wakijan Suwoko, Benggeng Hamlet. Jugo Village, District Mojo. In addition, one resident was also injured by a falling roof tile fragments that Siti (40), village residents Besuki, District Mojo.

He said that, until now access routes to tourist sites Kediri mainstay was still paralyzed. There are hundreds of fallen trees, which until now across the road and has not been cut. It is estimated, the distance between the tree fell with a waterfall tourist sites up to 4 kilometers.
In the meantime, Administrator Unity Stakeholder Perhutanioffice Forest (KPH) Kadiri, Amin Yahya claimed to have not received an official report related to the tornado disaster in the area of Mount Wilis.

"We were actually able to report any accident in Trenggalek. However, if it also occurs in Kediri, of course, we check the location and calculate with certainty the number of trees fall," said Yahya.

It also will reduce the team to assist with the evacuation path, so that traffic to tourist sites and sedudo Irenggolo waterfall is smooth.

Tornado disaster occurred in the area of Mount Wilis. Residents flee even when the incident took place, worried about being victimized. They chose to stay while on the road, so as not to hurt if there is a building that collapsed.

Previously, a number of houses and buildings damaged by the brunt of high winds. In the village Petok, District Mojo, Kediri District there are four buildings and houses damaged. Kaligedok Hamlet, Village Margourip, District Ngancar, Kediri, two people who are mother and daughter were injured after a wall of her kitchen damaged by the brunt of high winds. One of them little finger cut off his legs.

In addition to strong winds that hit the residential area, the Meteorology and Geophysics (BMKG) Maritime Tanjung Perak Surabaya also reminded the public to be aware of the high waves and strong winds in the north and south of East Java in the next few days.
In the Java Sea waters north of East Java (East Java) wave height ranged from 0.8 to 3.5 meters, while in southern Java between 1.5 - 5 meters. The wind speed in the Java Sea about 55 kilometers per hour while in the south of East Java is higher, namely 65 kilometers per hour.

http://www.republika.co.id/berita/regional/nusantara/12/01/25/lycyg...

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Fiji:

Worse than 2009'

BA remained closed to all people and vehicular traffic yesterday in what has been termed "one of the worst floods ever".

With further rain forecast for the Western Division until the weekend, there are fears that floodwaters could rise to record heights in the next few days.

Ba special administrator Arun Prasad said he had never seen anything like it.

"This is worse than the flood in 2009 because of the duration and disruption to services and business. Elevated parts of Ba Town are under five to right feet of water while lower areas are under as much as 15 feet of water," he said.

Mr Prasad said the fact that there had been no casualties reported was a result of co-operation and teamwork between the authorities involved.

"When you consider the extent of flooding ù which includes the whole of Ba Town, the Fiji Sugar Corporation area, Veisaru, Namosau, Vutuni Bridge and Yalalevu ù this is a significant effort by police, the National Fire Authority, DISMAC and my team at the Ba Town Council," said Mr Prasad. He said a well-co-ordinated and organised curfew by security forces and the council managed to keep businesses safe and secure so far.

"When people work together, we can achieve a lot of things and overcome any difficulties," Mr Prasad said.

District officer Ba Alifereti Yabenisiga confirmed that as of yesterday morning, 655 people were taking shelter at 11 centres in Ba.

"A wooden punt powered by a 40-horsepower engine evacuated 26 people in town to DAV College and another 20 people were evacuated from Meenoos Shop to their home in Varadoli. The punt is ready to make a trip to Matanaqara in Votua to evacuate stranded families," he said.

The Water Authority of Fiji said efforts to get supply back online in Ba have been hampered by a power blackout over the past few days.

"WAF's intakes are blocked, pump stations are down and the treatment plant is not in operation from this morning. All reservoirs are empty at the moment and because of the flood, WAF could not carry out any repairing work from this morning(yesterday)," the WAF said in a statement issued by the Ministry for Information.

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=191722

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Farmers lose out

FARMERS are losing livestock and seawater is inundating flat land as flooding continues to ravage the Western and Northern divisions.

This was confirmed by Ministry of Agriculture permanent secretary Colonel Mason Smith.

"The initial reports coming in are that farmers are losing their livestock because they are not able to move their livestock to higher ground in time," said Col. Smith.

He said Monday night's high tide coupled with rain from the mountains had also caused a lot of farmers to lose their crops.

"If the water does not drain quickly, we stand to lose quite a bit, especially in the sugarcane areas, the dalo growing areas of the Ra province and likewise in the north," he said.

Col. Smith said with livestock dying there was a risk of diseases like leptospirosis, however, these were issues the department would deal with on a case-by-case basis. He also advised farmers to harvest and preserve whatever crops they could and to relook at how they could handle flooding in the future.

With flooding continuously damaging Nadi plantations, Col. Smith said the department understood the need to relook at the drainage systems in the west.

"We will also look at our river dredging, we are currently working at the Ba River, the Rewa River and the Nadi River."

He said the department would also review its systems for preventing floods.

"Given the fact that flooding occurs all over the Western Division we will have to look at it holistically, whether we are cutting down too many trees up in the ridge, whether we are undertaking sustainable farming practices and whether the community understands not to plant along the river," said Col. Smith.

He said teams were trying to get indications of the initial damage to crops and livestock in the west.

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=191739

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Refuge from raging waters

THE number of people seeking shelter at evacuation centres in the Western Division has increased to 2920.

Nadi district recorded the largest number of evacuees with 916, while Ba has 646, Nadroga 522, Tavua/Nadarivatu 423, Ra 82 and Lautoka 331.

Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki said Nadi and Ba had been the worst hit with most villages, settlements and surburbs under water.

He said Lautoka experienced new levels of floodwaters as heavy rain poured throughout Tuesday night until early yesterday.

"It is anticipated that the level of water will rise again in low-lying areas and areas that have been flooded during the high tide," said Cdr Cawaki.

"The Divisional and District Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) have been fully activated for the past 48 hours with evacuation teams formed to evacuate people from flooded areas. People in most of the vulnerable areas did not move out even though ample warning and advice were given."

Cdr Cawaki said a government team was closely monitoring these areas and would continue to give out warnings to the public.

He said most schools in the division could also be affected as 22 schools were being used as evacuation centres.

"The divisional heads of department are advised to be on stand-by. Should the situation worsen and warrant a full operational deployment, then departmental teams should be ready to man divisional and district EOCs, assist in evacuation and conduct initial and sectoral damage assessments.

"If the weather clears, then a standdown procedure will be activated. The public in the west has been advised to take every safety precaution possible."

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=191724

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24 people in Rakiraki lose all in flood

Twenty four people from four families in Qalau, Rakiraki have lost almost all their belongings after 5 feet water flooded their home.

Advisory Councillor Mahesh Prasad said Red Cross has provided some assistance to these families and that people have got together to clean the houses today using flood waters as they still do not have tap water.

Prasad added that all cane crops in the area is damaged with farmers sure to lose out when crushing starts this year.

The estimated damage in Qalau is being placed at more than $20,000.

http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id=2601121549694879514fc2...

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Evacuees wait for food rations

PEOPLE evacuated after floodwaters gushed into their homes in a settlement outside Nadi Town are surviving on food assistance from the public.

Although the families took some food items with them to the Korovuto College evacuation centre, they say it is not enough.

They have been receiving food from concerned members of the public while they wait for assistance from the authorities.

Usenia Vulase, of Ravarava settlement in Korovuto, said 43 people from the settlement, including 21 children, were at the evacuation centre.

The youngest person at the evacuation centre is a five-month-old baby.

When The Fiji Times visited the evacuation centre around midnight on Tuesday, the evacuees were sitting on the school's corridors and sharing yaqona.

Ms Vulase said police officers evacuated them at about 1am on Tuesday when floodwaters almost reached the roof of their homes.

"We have been living in the settlement for the past six years and this is the second time that we have experienced something like this," Ms Vulase said.

"In 2009, we faced a similar situation and we had to be evacuated after losing most of our household and personal belongings.

"So far, we have not received any food rations from the authorities but some business people and other members of the public have come to our assistance.

"A private doctor called Dr Raj provided us with breakfast this morning (Tuesday) while the Hare Krishna movement gave us lunch and dinner."

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=191728

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Australia:

Coffs Harbour sandbagged as rains return

Sandbagging is underway at Coffs Harbour amid fears there could be a repeat of the 2009 floods that inundated the town's central business district.

The flood situation on the NSW mid-north coast is steadily worsening with heavy rain in the region.

Residents in the NSW mid-north coast towns of Gladstone and Smithtown are also ready to evacuate their homes.

State Emergency Services (SES) spokeswoman Bev Davy said some residents in the two hamlets were being advised to leave their homes with the Macleay River threatening to burst its banks.

'We expect the Macleay to reach 5.5 by this afternoon, it's 5.16 now, it's coming up very fast,' Ms Davy told AAP in Kempsey on Thursday.

'It hasn't got that far to go until it breaches the levee.'

In Gladstone and Smithtown, residents are currently moving their vehicles on to higher ground and sandbagging as water levels rise. Dick and Helen Batterson were busy sandbagging their Smithtown home, which sits next to the swollen Macleay. 'I've got about 20 of these, so let's hope they do the job,' said Mr Batterson, who's lived in the flood-prone region for 40-years. 'Flooding's been happening here too often recently.' Down the road at Helen and Roger Anderson's place, water was a couple of metres from the back door. 'It comes in cycles,' Helen said. 'In 2001, that was the biggest one, and it only got to the bottom step, so I reckon this time we're safe.' At nearby Macksville, SES workers are advising locals to evacuate due to a King Tide in the Nambucca River. Flooding has already cut in half the small town of Bellingen in northern NSW for the second time in three days, with the town's bridge completely submerged. Upstream of Bellingen, at Darkwood, hundreds of people remain isolated, with the SES carrying out supply runs in the area. The Bureau of Meteorology is warning of more rain in the region over the next 24 hours sparking further flooding. Almost 2000 people were ordered out of the Tweed River area by SES crews on Wednesday. Although the rain eased overnight, run-off is pouring into the already swollen local creeks and rivers, threatening another 3200 people with evacuation. SES spokeswoman Stephanie Heard said holidaymakers in the area were a key focus of Thursday's flood evacuation orders. She said the SES had received around 530 calls for assistance, many from out-of-towners unfamiliar with the risks of floods. 'Definitely a concern for us is that there is a lot of people there that aren't used to these creeks or the roads.'

Local police in Coffs Harbour and the SES told AAP that preventative sandbagging was underway in the city. More than 50 homes along Coffs Creek in Coffs Harbour had been sandbagged, with properties inundated by minor flooding, an SES spokeswoman said. Two army helicopters have been dispatched to join flood relief operations in the state's north. The Black Hawk helicopters, normally based at Oakey in Queensland, were dispatched to Lismore on Wednesday at the request fof NSW authorities, the defence department said. Acting Deputy Commander Joint Operation Commodore Michael Noonan said the two helicopters are equipped with winching systems, long-range fuel tanks and night vision equipment.

The SES said it had conducted 18 flood rescues on the north coast since the heavy rain started. Two were undertaken on Wednesday night around Lismore and Mullumbimby. A number of major and local roads have also been affected. The Pacific Highway is closed in both directions at Corindi, between Coffs Harbour and Grafton. Roads are also affected at Dorrigo Mountain, Bexhill, Lismore, Glen Elgin, Chinderah and Tweed Heads. The Public Information and Inquiry Centre, which opened on Wednesday to provide information to flood-affected communities, had received a 427 calls from members of the public by 11am (AEDT) on Thursday.

In Coffs Harbour, SES spokesman Bill Rossi told AAP the town was bracing for worse flooding on Friday. 'There's predictions another system will form tomorrow and they're forecasting pretty serious rain through the weekend,' he said. 'There's a fair bit of water around already.' Local man Bill said more rain would probably turn his home, which backs onto a small creek, into an island. 'The water comes down right around the back and turns my place into an island,' he said as water rushed down the street in front of his house. But he wasn't letting it worry him. 'It's all fun and games, lots of kids get out there on surfboards,' he said.