Namoi State Emergency Service personnel are on standby to assist colleagues in the state’s central west this week.
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Record river levels have caused flooding in the region not seen in a generation.
Among the hardest hit was Forbes where the Lachlan River peaked at 10.67 metres on Sunday, slightly higher than the major flood of 1990.
Closer to home, renewed flood warnings had been issued for the Namoi catchment including Bugilbone, west of Narrabri, where a moderate flood peak of 5.53 metres was expected Monday.
Namoi SES regional controller Andrew Galvin said it was important they consolidated their own flood mitigation measures but they were considering sending crews south to assist where possible.
“We’ve already had 3-4 people go down the last few weeks,” Mr Galvin said. “We will be looking to do that again.”
He said up to 20 Namoi SES personnel could be sent to assist our regional neighbours.
“It’s major flooding… they’re talking about 100 houses inundated,” he said.
Major flooding was predicted downstream on Tuesday for centres such as Condobolin.
NSW Police cautioned motorists travelling inland routes to care, especially during this busy, early school holiday period.
“People who drive into floodwaters placed themselves in real danger,” NSW Police acting assistant commissioner David Driver said.
“Floodwaters may be deeper and faster flowing than they appear on the surface. There could be debris under the water you can’t see, or the road itself could be washed away.
“If you see a road closed sign, it means the road is unsafe to travel on.
“If a road is flooded, turn around and find an alternative route, don’t attempt to drive through it.”
At Monday lunchtime the Newell Highway between Forbes and West Wyalong was one of the major routes still closed to all traffic.
Visit to livetraffic.com.au for the latest on road conditions and closures.
The record river levels in the central west follow minor flood threats for Gunnedah and district earlier this month.
The Namoi River at Gunnedah nudged just below the 7.3-metre minor flood level and drew crowds by the carload to watch the rising water at Cohen’s Bridge.