The Prime Minister has toured Lismore, announcing a financial support package for flood-affected areas of South East Queensland and northern New South Wales. It comes as Lismore lifted its evacuation orders after lower than expected flood levels.

Lismore

The Prime Minister has announced an income support package for communities impacted by recent floods, with up to 13 weeks of assistance available for residents in South East Queensland and North East New South Wales. This measure aims to aid those affected by the flooding, as communities, particularly in Lismore, remain cautious yet optimistic about the current situation. Though the evacuation orders in Lismore have been lifted and the Wilsons River is slowly receding, local authorities emphasize the need for continued vigilance due to unpredictable weather patterns.

Despite the easing of conditions in Lismore, nearby areas like Yamba and Grafton remain at risk, with rising water levels and ongoing flooding. Communities across the state continue to feel the impact, with around 1800 residents still cut off from essential supplies. Over 18 flood rescues by emergency services indicate the persistent dangers faced in these regions, with authorities reiterating the importance of avoiding complacency.

Efforts to restore daily life continue as businesses in Lismore start to reopen, while several schools in the state's north-east remain closed but are planning to resume later. Local sentiments reflect a combination of relief and readiness as residents and the State Emergency Service (SES) work tirelessly to manage the aftermath and prepare for any further challenges posed by the forecasted rains.



Lismore flood evacuation orders lifted

Monday morning in the centre of Lismore and it's almost business as usual. The coffees are brewing, the shop floors are getting a clean and Tracy Ryan is getting stock back in, keen to see her customers return. Of course it's an effort, it's one you expect if you're going to own a business on a river. She wants to start the week on a positive note after several days of anxiousness. I think for what a lot of people endured in 2022 is anxiety when they hear rain on the roof, probably for the rest of their life. Lismore lifers are cautiously optimistic they've dodged major disaster this time. Feeling a great sense of relief, however still need to be vigilant. We don't know what's going to happen when the river's so high. The last of the evacuation orders for Lismore now lifted. Look, the weather pattern is still somewhat unpredictable. But downstream at Yamba, the water continues to climb. The water is all the way up to the road. At Grafton, the Clarence River peaked at 5.74 metres overnight and was dropping today. Across the state, around 1800 residents remain cut off. They might be isolated from food supplies, from medicines and other essential requirements. Showing his gratitude to the very experienced SES volunteers of Lismore, the Prime Minister arrived today, wallet in hand, for those who have been financially impacted. Announcing up to 13 weeks of income support for those in South East Queensland and North East New South Wales, available tomorrow through the myGov website. We will be with the community for as long as necessary in the recovery phase. While the Wilsons River here in Lismore is slowly receding, the SES is urging people not to become complacent. Overnight, emergency services performed 18 flood rescues, and with more rain forecast, the danger certainly hasn't passed. We're not quite out of the woods yet. A number of schools in the state's north-east remain closed, but many aim to reopen later this week, as the town keeps its head above water for another day. Well, Taylor Ryan joins us live now from Lismore. Taylor, flood rescues, however, SES crews, very busy. Yes, Sandra, this is a message we've heard all too often, and yet for some people it still doesn't appear to be sinking in. Just earlier this afternoon, we saw images of a driver being rescued from a submerged car south of Lismore. Now, this is a scene emergency services are sadly all too familiar with. In the last 24 hours, the SES reports that they have completed 21 flood rescues, and the SES is urging the community tonight to simply not become complacent, even if they are in a hurry to return to their homes. On a lighter note, though, I can report that the feeling in Lismore tonight is one of relief. For most people, they do accept that the danger here has mostly passed, and the river behind me is slowly receding. In fact, Sandra, some of the pubs are even open tonight, and I think some of those SES volunteers have earned a hot meal and a cold beer. Alright, Taylor, thank you.

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