Homes and cars submerged in suburban street

Flash flooding damages cars and buildings in the NSW Northern Rivers. (Source: Linda Sparrow)

Residents have been rescued from homes and vehicles after flash flooding hit the Northern Rivers region in New South Wales this afternoon.

A severe weather system caused flash flooding across Lismore, Byron Bay, Bangalow and Mullumbimby around noon.

A total 106mm of rain was recorded at Coopers Shoot near Bangalow in three hours.

SES deputy zone commander Kristine McDonald said the main street of Bangalow had been inundated by floodwater.

“A significant amount of rain fell within a very short window, catching communities by surprise,” she said.

Flood waters submerged several cars on Deacon Street, Bangalow.

Several cars are submerged in floodwater on Deacon Street, Bangalow.  (Supplied: Linda Sparrow)

Two people were evacuated from homes on Deacon Street, while another was rescued from a vehicle trapped in floodwater.

Twenty cars were damaged in the flood.

Linda Sparrow was visiting a bank near Deacon Street when she was alerted to the rising water.

“Suddenly someone ran up to the door and said, ‘Quick, you’ve got to move your cars now,’” she said.

bangalow flooding 2

About 106mm of rain fell in the Bangalow area in three hours.  (Supplied: Linda Sparrow)

Ms Sparrow said seconds later, she witnessed floodwater inundate an employee’s car as she tried to move it.

“It was so quick. All of a sudden the car was being washed away, it was moving,” she said.

“I’ve seen a few floods, but nothing like this.”

The SES has issued an advice level severe weather warning for communities surrounding Byron Bay.

Residents are being advised to monitor the conditions and avoid driving through floodwater.