<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>339924</docID> <postdate>2025-03-08 20:04:22</postdate> <headline>Body of missing man found in floodwaters</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-339925" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20250307166952882019-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>There have been 30 flood rescues in northern NSW, mainly of people driving through flood waters. (Jason O'BRIEN/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Maeve Bannister</strong> and <strong>Savannah Meacham</strong></span></p> <p><strong>A body believed to be a missing man swept away by floodwaters has been found as NSW prepares for more dangerous weather from former tropical cyclone Alfred.</strong></p> <p>Police were called to Megan, about 25km north east of Dorrigo in the state's far north, on Friday afternoon after a ute had been swept into floodwaters.</p> <p>The 61-year-old male driver got out of the ute and climbed into a tree about 30m from the riverbank but emergency services could not reach him before he was swept away.</p> <p>A major search effort was launched but the body of a man was found about 4.30pm on Saturday.</p> <p>"While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing man," police said in a statement.</p> <p>The rescue came as residents were warned that dangerous weather has not yet passed as communities face fallen trees, downed powerlines and flash flooding after ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.</p> <p>Despite the cyclone being downgraded to a tropical low, multiple major flood warnings remain for the Tweed, Richmond, Wilsons, Brunswick, Orara, Clarence and Bellinger rivers.</p> <p>Major flooding is also expected at the Wilsons River, which runs through Lismore, where the river height is predicted to reach about 10.6m, the height of the levee.</p> <p>In an update, the SES said the river was at 9.04m and rising.</p> <p>Despite the moderating conditions, it was important for residents to remain cautious, NSW SES assistant commissioner Nicole Hogan said.</p> <p>"Where we are able to, we have downgraded our warnings and are allowing people to return home, such as Bowraville where the threat has reduced," she said.</p> <p>Saturday was "D-Day" for the weather event, NSW SES Commissioner Michael Wassing said.</p> <p>"Irrespective of the crossing of the cyclone currently in Queensland, we're still seeing very strong winds," he said.</p> <p>"But more importantly, we're still seeing very heavy rainfalls and therefore river rises, flash flooding and continued inundation of many areas."'</p> <p>NSW Premier Chris Minns said the next 24 hours would be crucial as the weather system moved across the area.</p> <p>"The message hasn't deviated, particularly as we move through to the flood part of this natural disaster," he said.</p> <p>"That is, never drive through floodwaters, never put yourself in danger. It is the most common way of people losing their lives during these flooding events."</p> <p>In the past 24 hours, there were 30 flood rescues, predominantly from people driving through floodwaters.</p> <p>There are 131 warnings, including 40 emergency warnings, which equates to approximately 20,000 people under evacuation orders.</p> <p>Mr Wassing said while the water levels in Lismore were still below the levees, the SES was ready for all outcomes.</p> <p>"The CBD levee and the levee to the south part of Lismore has not overtopped ... but we are getting flooding in low-lying areas in Lismore," he said.</p> <p>"Certainly with the Wilsons River, the predictions indicate that there will be rises and there is likely to be further flooding."</p> <p>With significant power outages affecting Lismore, leaving about 43,000 premises without power, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said six generators were being sent from the national stockpile.</p> <p>"Right now, very clearly, we need to stick together and continue to look after each other," he said on Saturday morning.</p> <p>"The impacts are already being felt and there is worse to come in the hours ahead."</p> <p>Mr Albanese is expected to visit the region in coming days and urged people to remain vigilant and stay out of floodwaters.</p> </body>