Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Northern Rivers: Flash Flooding Threat from Heavy Rainfall

Source: BOM · Northern Rivers, NSW

This alert is no longer in effect.

BOM issued it on April 6, 2026, 4 months ago. Warnings of this kind stay in effect for hours to a few days, so this page is a historical record of what was issued, not a current warning. For conditions where you are right now, check weather.gov (US), weather.gc.ca (Canada), the Met Office (UK), or the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).

Areazine synthesizes this BoM weather warning directly from BOM's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a high-priority warning for the Northern Rivers district as a slow-moving storm line threatens Byron Bay, Ballina, and surrounding areas with flash flooding.

Read this weather record in 30 seconds

Record type
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Affected area
Northern Rivers, NSW
Issued
April 6, 2026
Issuing authority
BOM

Storm notices can cover different combinations of wind, hail, lightning, and rainfall. Use the original notice for the hazards and boundaries attached to this specific record.

Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in Northern Rivers, NSW.

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for heavy rainfall. This high-priority alert was issued at 7:51 am Friday, 13 March 2026, for residents in parts of the Northern Rivers Forecast District.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers portions of the Northern Rivers region in New South Wales. Locations that may be affected by the storm system include:

  • Byron Bay
  • Ballina
  • Mullumbimby
  • Alstonville
  • Brunswick Heads

What You Should Do

The State Emergency Service (SES) advises residents to take the following precautions:

  • Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
  • Do not walk, ride your bike, or drive through flood water.
  • If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and call 000 if you require rescue.
  • Stay indoors and away from windows; keep children and pets inside.
  • For emergency assistance in floods and storms, contact the SES at 132 500.

Expected Conditions

A slow-moving line of heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms has developed within the Northern Rivers district. The line is currently moving toward the north and is expected to produce isolated areas of heavy rainfall throughout the morning. These conditions are likely to lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 7:51 am on Friday, 13 March 2026. The Bureau of Meteorology expects to issue the next update by 10:55 am. Residents are encouraged to monitor the Hazards Near Me NSW app or the BOM website for real-time updates.

Original source: BOM Official Notice ↗

All Weather Warnings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this BoM weather warning.

What is this BoM weather warning about?
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a high-priority warning for the Northern Rivers district as a slow-moving storm line threatens Byron Bay, Ballina, and surrounding areas with flash flooding.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by BOM. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "high" severity. Take precautions and monitor for updates.
What area is affected?
This alert affects Northern Rivers, NSW. Check with BOM for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more Weather Warnings updates?
Browse the full Weather Warnings feed on Areazine at areazine.com/au/weather/ for the latest updates from BOM and other agencies.