A Lismore mother who is stranded on her roof with her husband and three daughters says up to 50 neighbours are stuck in their homes as floodwaters rise in a "really, really scary" situation.
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Kate Davis climbed onto the roof of her house on Casino Street, South Lismore, with her husband and children before dawn on Monday as water overwhelmed their home after the Wilson river breached its levee.
The family has been waiting six hours for help, taking shelter under their solar panels and planning an escape on their boogie boards.
"About 12 o'clock last night, we were ankle deep in water and by three this morning it was lapping at our two-storey balcony," Ms Davis told the Nine Network on Monday.
"By 4:15 we were on the roof."
"It was dark. We just grabbed shoes and whatever floatation devices we could find and popped the kids on the roof and called for help.
"We have been sitting waiting ever since."
Ms Davis says her children have been trying to keep warm and dry under a shelter attached to their solar panels, while many of their neighbours seek refuge in their roof cavities.
She has been posting about their situation on social media, but there has been no word from emergency services on when they will be rescued.
"I have some neighbours next to us who are actually stuck in their roof cavity and they really need help, desperately, but we are still waiting."
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast rainfall of up to 200mm, with a major flood warning for the Tweed River.
"If another 200mm comes, we will all be swimming and I am talking about at least 50 people," Ms Davis said.
"It is really, really scary."
Ms Davis says her daughters are coping "surprisingly" well.
"We have our boogie boards. We will use our leg ropes to tie ourselves together and float if that is what it comes to."
Australian Associated Press
