Prepare to evacuate Dam spills as major flooding hits western NSW
The NSW State Emergency Service is warning residents of Forbes in the Central West to prepare to evacuate as parts of the region are inundated by floodwaters.
Heavy recent rain has caused the Upper Lachlan River to swell, threatening towns including Forbes and Cowra.
Wyangala Dam has been releasing up to 85,000 megalitres of water a day over the past few days. Credit:Nick Moir
Wyangala Dam, upstream of Forbes, is at 103.4 per cent capacity and water authorities are releasing tens of thousands of megalitres in a controlled spill.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a major flood level at Forbes from Tuesday, similar to the damaging September 2016 floods.
"Flood waters from Cowra combined with flood waters from the Belubula River have caused major flooding at Nanami where river levels are likely to peak Monday afternoon," the weather bureau said.
The SES is advising Forbes residents to “prepare to evacuate†by Tuesday.
"If you are in Forbes your best opportunity is to start preparing your home or business and make arrangements to move to safety before flooding starts affecting you," the SES said.
"The situation is likely to change and it can escalate quickly."
Forbes Shire Council mayor Phyllis Miller said it was a positive sign that only 40,000 megalitres of water was being released from Wyangala Dam on Monday, down from 100,000 megalitres in recent days.
"We’re a flood town, we’re used to it," she said.
Forbes residents are preparing to evacuate as floodwaters race downstream. Credit:Nick Moir
"You prepare the very best you can and hope for the best.
"We’re hoping we don’t get any further rain that will cause us grief."
At midday on Monday the flooding at Forbes was rated as "minor" with water levels at 9.2 metres. The bureau said this could reach 10.65 meters by early Wednesday morning, a similar level to 2016.
The Lachlan River at Nanami is likely to peak at about 12.20 metres on Monday afternoon with major flooding, slightly higher than the 2016 peak.
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