Moderate flooding is already under way at Lismore in the NSW Northern Rivers, as the Wilsons River draws closer to breaking the town’s levee.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warned that major flooding is likely to occur around mid-day.

The Wilsons River is currently at 9.04 metres and rising.

”River levels may reach major flood levels around midday and may reach the height of the Lismore levee (10.6 metres) during the afternoon,” the BoM said in an update at 9am today.

Low-lying parts of the town have already been inundated.

Drone footage this morning showed the extent of the flooding.

Lismore locals are holding out hope that their homes will be spared.

Lismore resident said Vinny O’Dwyer said she was “Cautiously optimistic that perhaps the water won’t go over the level.” 

“My house is in what we call the basin, so I’m on the safe side of the levee,” she told Today.

“And it’s been a very long week, if I could put it that way.

“We’re packed and ready to go. Our escape plan is just around the corner.”