Wet weather caused chaos

MISSING PICNIC TABLE: During last week's rains the Richmond River at Woodburn peaked at 3.28m covering the picnic table nearest the water. Photo Samantha Elley / Rivertown Times

Samantha Elley

IT WAS a week of water, commonly becoming known as the Big Wet.

While areas on the Mid-North Coast and South East Queensland succumbed to torrential rainfall, the Lower and Mid-Richmond didn't escape unscathed.

A fatal accident on Broadwater Rd highlighted the need for drivers to be cautious on wet roads.

One local Evans Head resident lost his trawler as it sunk in the harbour, the Coraki caravan park needed to be evacuated due to the Richmond River rising and Australia Day celebrations were cancelled or, as was the case for the official Richmond Valley event at Casino, moved indoors.

Some visitors cut their holidays short as the Pacific Hwy was closed further south near Grafton and traffic was diverted from Ballina, causing local businesses to see some quiet times after the hectic summer holidays.

Highest rainfall in the area, according to the weather website www.willyweather. com.au, was recorded at Wardell with 236mm falling from Monday, January 23 to Sunday, January 29.

Evans Head, Broadwater, Woodburn, Riley's Hill and New Italy all recorded just under 220mm for the same period.

The Richmond River peaked on Friday, January 27 at 4.61m at Coraki and 3.28m at Woodburn.