A woman’s body has been found in the search for two people missing in floodwaters in central west New South Wales.
Police have yet to formally identify the body but believe it is that of 60-year-old Dianne Smith, who last spoke to a relative on the phone from her car in Eugowra on Monday morning.
The 60-year-old worked at the local grocery store and was described by a friend as “a well-loved member of the community” who “knew almost everyone” in the flood-ravaged town.
Dianne Smith was a “much loved” member of the Eugowra community. (new)
Eugowra, a small community of 700 people, has been inundated by water for the past few days as the Lachlan River rose.
Every home and business in town was flooded.
Helicopters and boats were used to evacuate the city, where people were forced onto their rooftops as the waters rose.
Image of flooded NSW town ‘says it all’
The search continues today for an 85-year-old man who was last seen at a home in Eugowra on Monday morning.
Ljubisa ‘Les’ Vugec has not been counted yet.
Vugec is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 180 and 185cm tall, of medium build, with gray hair and brown eyes.
Police are still looking for missing Eugowra man Ljubisa ‘Les’ Vugec. (new)
The water has started to recede in Eugowra, but Wyangala Dam is still spilling thousands of gigalitres into the Lachlan River, with Forbes currently at the center of the disaster.
The river there is expected to reach 10.8 meters, with waters currently at 10.7 meters and still rising.
The clean up has started today in Eugowra.
Residents told 9News they were shocked at how quickly the “wall of water” came through, with many having just minutes to get to safety, some on their rooftops.
All businesses and homes in Eugowra suffered flood damage. (new)
“A torrent of water coming through here, it was like a massive dam wall that just broke,” said one resident.
“How fast it was ridiculous.”
There are 122 SES alerts across the state, including 25 at the emergency level.
In the last 24 hours, 329 calls for help, including 17 flood rescues.