Rainfall in excess of 200 mm on the night of 3 January resulted in flooding on the NSW north coast, including Kyogle and near Mullumbimby. The State Emergency Service (SES) received more than 80 requests for assistance. After flood levels rose significantly at nearby Wiangaree, residents from both Kyogle and South Murwillumbah were evacuated. In Kyogle, the SES evacuated 30 people from a caravan park and responded to two landslide incidents. A caravan park was evacuated in Lismore as local roads were flooded. The heavy rainfall resulted in flood warnings for a number of catchments including the Tweed, Richmond, Wilsons, Bellinger, Orara and Clarence Rivers.

By 6 January, several thousand people were isolated by floodwaters. The SES worked with the Department of Community Services to evacuate an Aboriginal community of around 160 residents at Cabbage Tree Island near Woodburn, threatened by flooding waters. Supply operations were undertaken by SES volunteers via helicopter, floodboat and high-clearance 4WD vehicles. Approximately 80 air support supply tasks were completed over a five day period.

The local government areas of Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield and Tweed were declared natural disaster areas, eligible for assistance under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.

The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 2008 damage at $15 million, with the 2011 estimated normalised cost of $17 million.