Moree flood: Family stays as water surrounds home

"This morning we got up, and we were an island," Leah said.

"We're surrounded by water, but we're safe."

While the evacuation order had gone out on Tuesday afternoon, the family decided to stay put.

Built on a flood plain, the home is raised, and is prepared for times like these when the river breaks its banks.

By 10pm Tuesday night the water from the nearby Mehi River had started flooding onto their property.

"It was about ankle deep," Leah said. "Not that we went out in it, but the dog did go running in it."

Earlier on Tuesday the family had taken precautions.

Leah said her husband Simon had moved items like their fridge and washing machine upstairs, as well as taking their vehicle and lawn mower to a neighbour's property, which has a larger area of higher ground.

"We came home and just waited for it," Leah said.

Moree is staring down the barrel of its first major flood since 2012, with the river expected to peak later on Wednesday.

NSW SES directed people within low-lying properties to evacuate the high danger area.

The SES advice said once flood water begins to inundate the area, road access, water, sewerage, power, phones and internet could be lost.

Leah said her family has lost half the electricity to their home, but fortunately their precautions have kept the family safe.

Meanwhile, the ambulance service in Moree moved one of its vehicles to the RFS premises on the other side of the river, so it would continue to be able to service the whole township.

Additional ambulance resources were also being sent to Moree.

In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring NSW SES on 132 500.

For more emergency information, advice, and access to the latest river heights and rainfall observations and forecasts: