Police and emergency services are urging the community not to take risks in the current flood conditions being experienced across the Central Western Region of New South Wales.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for areas of the Central Western Region of New South Wales, including heavy rainfall and flash flooding for towns of Eugowra, Derribong and Canowindra.
The nearby townships of Forbes and Parkes, which are still affected by recent flooding events, may come under renewed threat of flood inundation.
There are currently 101 active flood warnings, with 14 emergency warnings to evacuate in place for Namoi Village, Alice Edwards Village and Walli Village at Collarenebri (Barwon/Darling), Canowindra, Eugowra, rural properties at East Condobolin (Lachlan), parts of Moama, Doctors Point and Albury South (Murray), Darlington Point Caravan Park (Murrumbidgee) and Orange.
Six Evacuation Centres have been established at the following locations:
- Cudal Bowling Club – Brown Street, Cudal
- Canowindra Public School - Tilga Street, Caowindra
- Eugowra Public School – Hill Street, Eugowra
- Moama Recreation Reserve – Perricoota Road, Moama
- Molong RSL – Riddesl Street, Molong
- Parkes High School – Albert Street, Parkes
For those people unable to make contact with friends or family displaced by the most recent flooding event, the Register Find Reunite reporting website remains active.
The Register, Find, Reunite website – https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/about-register-find-reunite/ –is a National system managed and operated by Australian Red Cross.
It is a service which registers, finds and reunites family, friends and loved ones after an Emergency. It allows people to:
- Register to let people know they are safe
- Find people who may be affected by an Emergency and know they are safe
- Reunite through a matching process which enables Police, with consent, to share details of family and friends with each other.
Several other Flood Warnings remain in place across the state – for the latest information on current warnings and evacuation centres, visit the NSW SES website – www.ses.nsw.gov.au/.
State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell, said emergency services are continuing to assist people isolated and impacted during this evolving situation.
"The State Emergency Operations Centre at Homebush has been activated today to provide support to those towns of the Central West that are inundated by the latest flood event," Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said.
"The Centre provides a whole-of government approach to deliver resources and personnel into flood-affected areas which need assistance.
"The NSW SES has already issued a number of 'evacuate now' warnings to people in the towns of Eugowra, Canowindra and Derriwong, and for those who are now unable to leave their homes to move to the highest, safest place possible," Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said.
Police also remind people not to drive into flood waters, as they are not only putting their own lives at risk, but those of emergency services responding to those incidents," Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said.
Police are also urging all those in flood-affected or flood-prone areas to avoid all non-essential travel, with several roads closed and impacted by flood waters, landslips and fallen trees.
Members of the public in flood affected areas should continue to listen to local radio stations, or check the websites listed below.
Members of the public seeking emergency assistance during a flood or storm should call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500 or visit their website www.ses.nsw.gov.au.
For the latest weather warnings, please visit the Bureau of Meteorology website: http://www.bom.gov.au/.
For the latest road closures, please visit www.livetraffic.com.au
In all life-threatening situations and emergencies, the public are advised to contact Triple Zero (000).
