Residents in Moama, in southern NSW, and Moree, in the state’s north-west, have been warned to evacuate due to dangerous, significant flooding.
Key Points:
- There are almost 100 flood warnings in place across NSW
- The Mehi River in Moree is expected to peak on Saturday morning and again overnight
- A major flood peak is expected to reach Moama on Tuesday
There are almost 100 flood warnings in place across NSW, with emergency services carrying out 17 flood rescues and responding to almost 350 requests for assistance overnight.
About 4,000 people in low-lying areas of the Moree Plains county were told to evacuate last night due to heavy flooding in the Mehi and Gwydir rivers.
The SES said almost 70mm of rain was recorded downstream of Moree in Gravesend overnight and people in Moree should expect an initial flood peak of 9.40 meters late on Saturday morning .
A second peak, higher than the March 2021 level of 10.43 meters, is expected to reach the area on Saturday night or Sunday morning.
“While the Mehi River in Moree may appear to be receding later today, it is likely to peak for a second time, so we are asking [residents] to remain vigilant for the next 24 to 48 hours,” SES spokeswoman Cindy Hewson said.
Flooding in Moree is expected to exceed the maximum flood peak of 10.43 meters in March 2021. (Supplied: NSW Rural Fire Service, Moree Brigade)
“We are pleased to see that people are following instructions. We have seen a number of people using their emergency plans and accessing evacuation centers overnight.
“We want to remind everyone that if you need assistance or you’re self-isolating or you need resupply, please get in touch.”
The nearby communities of Gravesend, Pallamallawa and those near the Yarraman Bridge have also been told to watch for significant flooding and to stay out of flood waters.
An evacuation center is open at Moree PCYC in Boston Street.
Moree emergency services and community volunteers spent much of Friday sandbagging in preparation for Saturday’s peak flood. (Supplied: NSW Rural Fire Service Moree Brigade)
Moama preparing for peak flood
In Moama, flood levels are expected to exceed those of the main 1993 flood in the city.
Extensive sandbagging and other preparations have been underway for several days and an evacuation center is open at Moama Recreation Reserve.
Some caravan parks have been flooded in Moama. (ABC Riverina: Romy Stephens)
Some parts of Moama are already flooded.
Acting SES Area Commander Ben Pickup said on Saturday the River Murray was continuing to rise and was likely to peak at around 95 meters above sea level overnight on Sunday and into Monday morning.
He praised the community for their response to the situation so far with only one rescue reported overnight in the area.
On Friday, Murray River Mayor Chris Bilkey said he was confident the city’s levee, which was built after the 1993 floods and hasn’t been tested since then, would hold up ahead of the expected peak
“There are outlying areas to the east of Moama that are already flooded, and they would always be in a flood of this type, but the expectation is that it will apply to the majority of the city,” Cr Bilkey said.
Late on Friday afternoon, the SES told residents in northern Gunnedah to prepare to evacuate, after heavy rain along the Namoi River caused surges upstream.
This warning remained in effect on Saturday.
Look back at Friday’s flood and weather updates in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland
More rain on the way
The SES said ongoing inclement weather was likely to worsen and renew flooding in parts of NSW in the coming days, moving some from minor flood status to major flood status.
Helen Reid of the Bureau of Meteorology said Saturday would bring more rain to flood-affected areas of New England and northwestern regions.
“Some of that will be in the form of storms that may also bring some heavy rainfall, which could lead to not only additional river flooding, but also some flash flooding,” he said.
“We’re in for another tough day and a tough weekend, we’ve got more rain for Sunday and Monday.”
He said conditions could ease by the middle of next week.
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