The Bureau of Meteorology has revised down Lismore's expected flood peak with some residents now able to return to their homes as the weather system moves south.
Look back at all of Tuesday's developments as they happened with our live blog.
Key events
- Flood evacuation warning in East Bellingen for low lying areas
- Evacuation order lifted for parts of Mullumbimby
- NSW SES gives all clear for some Lismore residents to return
- Eight flood evacuation orders now in place in northern NSW
- Evacuation order issued for Lismore CBD
- Police confirm second death in south-east Queensland floods
- Evacuation warning for Condong
- Relief on NSW North Coast may be short lived
- Myall Creek in Dalby peaks at 3.60m with major flood warning, minor flood warning for Chinchilla
- Summary of flooding across northern NSW
Live updates
By Michael Doyle
Where to find emergency assistance and information
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For emergency assistance, contact SES in NSW or QLD on 132 500.
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If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
- For the latest weather updates visit the Bureau of Meteorology in Queensland here or in NSW here
- Roads and bridges may be impacted by flash flooding. You can find more information in Queensland here
- Other emergency updates can be found at Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
- If you're not sure what to do when there's a flood, here's the best way to plan
Listen to ABC Local Radio for regular updates:
- ABC Wide Bay on 100.1fm + 855am or stream online
- ABC Brisbane on 612am or online
- ABC Sunshine Coast on 90.3fm Nambour and Gympie 95.3fm or the live stream
- ABC North Coast on 94.5fm or online here
By Kate Ainsworth
That's all for the blog tonight
Thanks for joining us throughout the day.
You can stay up to date with the latest news online or on the ABC News app.
Look after one another, and stay safe.
By Kate Ainsworth
Catch up on today's developments in Lismore
It's been an eventful day in Lismore for residents who are still reeling from last month's devastating floods, amid concerns the flood peak would pass the protective levee.
ABC Reporter Bruce MacKenzie recaps the day's developments, as large parts of New South Wales remain on alert as the weather system moves south.
By Kate Ainsworth
Kempsey residents urged to monitor flood warnings for Macleay River
The Kempsey Council on the Mid North Coast is encouraging residents and landholders to be prepared and monitor flood warnings.
A minor to moderate flood warning is in place for the Macleay River and all bridges that cross the river upstream of Kempsey are closed.
Dylan Reeves from the Kempsey Shire Council said they're not expecting the CBD to be impacted, but that depends on the amount of rain that falls upstream.
"We do have a large number of sandbags that are prepared and are in our council depot ready to be deployed to the CBD should river levels go beyond what we anticipate," he said.
"If you are in a low lying area or have been impacted in the past, certainly be very cautious."
By Kate Ainsworth
Dalby residents 'over it' and ready to move after four floods in five months claim homes, businesses
Fed-up flood victims in the western Queensland town of Dalby say they are considering moving after four floods in five months swamped homes and businesses.
Heavy rainfall overnight saw flood levels peak in Dalby at 3.6 metres in the early hours of Tuesday.
"It wasn't real good trying to get to sleep when you can hear water running under the bed," Dalby local Barry Russell said.
"Sunday it was dry, and then 24 hours later we got an inland river. It could be worse though, [we] could be down in Lismore."
Myall Creek peaked just 10 centimetres below the 2011 level, but several homes were inundated and hundreds were damaged.
Hundreds of residents in the region remain without power.
The latest flood emergency in southern Queensland has so far claimed two lives.
Mr Russell said the water was a centimetre away from getting inside his house, close enough to make him consider leaving town.
'I'm over it. I've been keen to buy a property out of town the last few years and I think this is the push I need to make that jump," he said.
"I think all you can do is eliminate yourself from the equation and take yourself where it's high and dry.
"Get away from all of this."
By Kate Ainsworth
BoM expecting conditions to ease further in south east Queensland
The Bureau of Meteorology says conditions will continue to ease in south east Queensland tomorrow as a coastal trough moves towards New South Wales.
Forecaster Felim Hanniffy said patchy showers could continue into tomorrow, with heavy overnight showers possible in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt.
The bureau is expecting both the Condamine and Logan and Albert catchments will reach major flood levels this evening.
"Given that we're still seeing the rivers responding to that overnight rain, expect further rises — particularly with ongoing shower activity across inland parts of Southeast — particularly across parts of the Logan-Albert leading up around the Lockyer Valley as well," he said.
By Kate Ainsworth
Flood evacuation warning in East Bellingen for low lying areas
Low lying areas in East Bellingen have been issued a flood evacuation warning.
The SES is advising residents to act now to prepare for the impacts of possible flooding, particularly in Deopel Street, Cahill Street and Mill Street.
Residents have been told to monitor the situation and be prepared to evacuate when instructed to do so.
An evacuation centre will be established at Bellingen High School at 1125 Waterfall Way.
Reporting by Alexandra Jones
By Kate Ainsworth
Landslide forces closure of Waterfall Way near Dorrigo
Waterfall Way has been closed in both directions between Thora and Dorrigo Mountain in NSW after a landslide occurred during heavy rain.
The section of the road closed is between Darkwood Road and Maynards Plains Road.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and if they must travel to use the Oxley Highway or Gwydir Highway.
Reporting by Alexandra Jones
By Kate Ainsworth
'It's a bit disheartening': North Lismore resident evacuated twice in one month
Gary Chapman was evacuated from his North Lismore home last month when the floods hit, and now he's being told to leave again.
"We've just got back on our feet, and now there's another flood pending. It's a bit disheartening," he said.
He and his family are back in their home, but the house will need a lot of repairs.
"It's liveable but we're sleeping on blow up mattresses we got from the donation centre, we're cooking on a little camp gas stove, we've got one power point," he said.
Despite the evacuation order for Lismore this afternoon, he intends on staying put.
He said the floods have come into the yard, but believes his family is safe in their three-storey home, which contains a loft.
"I've been through a few floods," he said.
"I've got boats tied up around the house — I've got one out the back and one out the front."
Reporting by Ashleigh Barraclough
By Kate Ainsworth
In pictures: Flooding on the Gold Coast from above
By Kate Ainsworth
'Fantastic news': Lismore SES commander relieved predicted flood peak lower than previous forecast
The NSW State Emergency Service for the Lismore region says water level rises haven't been as dire as predicted.
Earlier the SES told residents and business owners across some parts of flood affected Lismore that it was safe to return to their properties.
They include the Lismore CBD, Lismore Basin, low lying areas of east Lismore and Girards Hill.
Evacuation orders remain in place for North Lismore and South Lismore.
The SES Commander for the region, Paul McQueen said it's a relief for the region that the predicted rise won't be as high as was predicted earlier today.
"Certainly not the levels that we saw a couple of weeks ago in this area which is fantastic news," he said.
"There's been some downgrades of some of the levels that we were expecting to reach, particularly in the Lismore area which is fantastic news for that community who've been through so much in recent times."
The Wilsons River is expected to peak at 8.6 metres at around 8pm AEDT.
By Kate Ainsworth
Evacuation order lifted for parts of Mullumbimby
An evacuation order has been lifted for low-lying areas of Mullumbimby and the CBD.
The SES says river levels have fallen below minor flood levels and it is safe for people to return with caution.
Another evacuation order issued for low-lying parts of Billinudgel has also been lifted.
By Kate Ainsworth
NSW farmers facing another disaster after massive flood a month ago
Four weeks ago, Paul Weir watched his milking herd wash away in floodwaters on his farm at Tuncester near Lismore.
Now he has moved what cattle and machinery he has left to higher ground out of reach of a "two-metre flood".
He has given up worrying about things outside of his control.
"It's more a psychological blow I think and slowing up any recovery and drying out, that's probably the biggest disappointment," he said.
"I can't stop the flood, if Mother Nature wants to put a record flood again well so be it, we haven't got as much to lose this time that's for sure."
By Kate Ainsworth
Mid North Coast communities prepare for deluge and potential isolation
The town of Glenreagh, about a 45 minute drive inland of Coffs Harbour, sits on the banks of the Orara River.
Locals there are concerned the town will be cut off due to flood waters, as well as the potential for power outages like the town experienced a month ago.
The co-owner of the town's bakery, Lee Goldsmith, said she kept her children at home from daycare today due to fears they would be separated.
"If I took them to daycare, I can't guarantee I'd pick them up tonight, I could get cut off from Coramba where they go," she said.
Ms Goldsmith said she expected the bakery to sell out given the concerns of the community for isolation.
"If the floods three weeks ago were anything to go by, we sold out of everything by 9 o'clock [in the morning]."
"We've got extra bread in the oven now, and extra pies for the additional people around here like the SES."
Reporting by Nick Parameter in Glenreagh
By Kate Ainsworth
NSW SES gives all clear for some Lismore residents to return
The NSW State Emergency Service has told residents and business owners across some parts of flood affected Lismore, including Lismore's CBD, that it's safe to return to their properties.
The areas where the SES has given the all clear for residents to return to include: Lismore CBD, Lismore Basin, low lying areas of east Lismore and Girards Hill.
An evacuation order was issued for those areas earlier today, telling residents to be out by 4pm AEDT.
The SES has stressed that evacuation orders remain in place for North Lismore and South Lismore.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects the Wilsons River to peak at 8.4 metres at 7pm tonight, after it was revised down from the previously forecast 10.6 metre peak.
By Kate Ainsworth
Second Lismore flood in a month 'mind boggling' for residents
Helen Barnett was taking her granddaughter Lilly for a walk not long before and evacuation order was issued for Lismore.
Ms Barnett has family visiting who grew up in the town but now live elsewhere.
She said they were all distraught by the impact of the recent flood on their town.
"No pictures or words can tell you anything, until you actually see and feel what's happening," she said.
Ms Barnett said she feels lucky because she lives on high ground, but said "it was absolutely traumatic".
She said the threat of a second flood was "mind boggling".
"There are so many people so distraught having lost everything ... hearing that rain again, I just feel so much for people.
"Especially young kids and families."
Reporting by Bruce Mackenzie in Lismore
By Kate Ainsworth
'It's not working': Lismore MP criticises state government's initial recovery efforts in Northern Rivers
Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has slammed the state government's recovery in the Northern Rivers claiming the implementation of some measures has been "appalling".
It's the first time the Labor MP has been highly critical of the government's response so publicly.
"We don't have one chain of command," Ms Saffin said.
"We're dealing with agency after agency ... it's not working."
Earlier this month, New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon was appointed as the Recovery Coordinator for the area.
His role is to focus on the Northern Rivers, while the government department — Resilience NSW — oversees the recovery at a higher, state level.
"I want one general, one person in command," Ms Saffin said.
"Allow Assistant Commissioner Mal Lanyon to really run it."
Regarding the bureaucrats working for Resilience NSW, she's urged the government to "get them out of the road".
The Lismore MP has also raised problems with the Government's transitioning of people into longer term accommodation while the rebuild takes place.
"The announcement was fine," Ms Saffin said.
"The implementation is just appalling."
She said people in Lismore aren't being probably case managed to ensure they are put in appropriate accommodation.
The Lismore MP has also called for a "Reconstruction Commission" to be set up.
"I want a single body that actually is charged with the reconstruction for the physical, the financial, the emotional, and the environmental," she said.
"And they can cut across all the agencies."
Ms Saffin was in Sydney for the day to raise her issues in a meeting with the Acting Premier Paul Toole and Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke.
"I can assure you and the community of Lismore and communities of the Northern Rivers that the New South Wales government, under the Liberals and Nationals, will have your back," Mr Toole said in parliament.
Reporting by state political reporter Ashleigh Raper
By Kate Ainsworth
Residents in low lying areas of NSW Mid North Coast told to prepare
Severe weather in northern New South Wales has begun shifting down the coastline, with communities in the Mid North Coast advised to be on alert over the coming 24 to 48 hours.
The Bureau of Meterology says predicted rainfall is likely to bring the risk of flash flooding, riverine flooding and strong winds.
Communities likely to be affected include Coffs Harbour, Urunga, Macksville, Bellingen and towns along the lower Macleay River.
The State Emergency Service's Dave Rankin said residents who regularly become isolated by flooding should stock up on supplies, or consider relocating to a safer place.
"[There could be] falls of up to 200mm in some communities so just be very aware you may be affected," he said.
"If you flooded in the most recent deluges at the end of February, then there every chance of isolation and flooding again."
By Kate Ainsworth
'You can't put a price on friendship'
Bob Burnell owns a barbecue shop in Lismore that was damaged in the last flood, and was in the process of cleaning up to reopen his business within weeks.
"We're putting everything back in place ready to reopen ... and this happened and we've had to put [it] back [up high] again," he said.
Mr Burnell said he was in a state of disbelief at the thought of a second flood in one month.
"I live in Ballina and stayed up all last night watching the radar and the progress of the low pressure system," he said.
"I was feeling confident but want to be cautious and all my good friends have come in to help us pack.
"You can't put a price on friendship."
Reporting by Bruce Mackenzie in Lismore
By Kate Ainsworth
Road in Gold Coast hinterland collapses after heavy rainfall
The department says local residents are still able to access their properties by following detours, with properties below Brushbox Road able to enter via Nerang-Murwillumbah Road.
Those with properties above Brushbox Road are able to enter via Beaudesert-Nerang Road near Canungra.
