ABC North Coast Radio today:
Thousands of residents in northern New South Wales have been asked to evacuate, as the Clarence and Wilson Rivers threaten to flood surrounding towns.
At least 9,000 Grafton residents have been told to leave, with the town predicted to flood tonight.
However, there are differing reports about the number of residents being asked to evacuate, with the SES putting the figure at about 20,000.
Residents in villages north of Grafton around the Lower Clarence River have also been told to evacuate.
Earlier, more than 5,000 people left the city of Lismore over concerns the Wilsons River would peak.
SES spokesman Dave Mackey says the Clarence River in Grafton could reach 7.8 metres about midnight.
"Given the fact that we've had so much rainfall and it doesn't seem to be letting up too much, that prediction of 7.8 is very close to [the] levee overtopping," he said.
"At this stage we do not believe it is worth waiting until dark to make a call for an evacuation.
"This height water is below the levee but the following areas will be inundated: the town of Grafton and low-lying areas of South Grafton, except for Bent Street Hill and the high ground to the Armidale Road.
"Residents and business owners in Grafton and the lower parts of South Grafton are to activate their personal and business flood plans and evacuate as soon as possible."
Mr Mackey says an evacuation coordination centre has been established at the Coffs Harbour Showground.
He says residents who are able to drive themselves out should head south on the Pacific Highway.
Mr Mackey says residents in Grafton can expect the worst if the towns get flooded.
"Power supplies will need to be shut down. Telephone services will fail, which means people will not be able to call for help," he said.
"Sewerage facilities will fail with raw sewage possibly entering houses. Roads will become flooded and vehicle movement will be restricted."
Ulmarra and Brushgrove residents have also been ordered to evacuate.
The Pacific Highway is cut by water at Maclean and the only road inland from Yamba is cut by water.
The Wilsons River is beginning to recede, but Lismore residents cannot access their homes and businesses yet.
The Tweed, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore, Kyogle and the Clarence Valley local government areas have all been declared disaster areas by the NSW Government.
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