THOUSANDS of residents were left stranded or forced to evacuate their homes in northern NSW yesterday after the worst floods in more than 25 years hit the region.
Flood levels in Moree were predicted to equal 1976 flood levels as about 2300 residents banked up their homes with sandbags.
A forecast peak for Moree was 10.6metres on the Mehi River by 9am today. The bridge over the river was closed to traffic about 3pm and an emergency centre at Moree Memorial Hall was set up.
About 600 residents from Pallamallawa and 80 from Biniguy were evacuated and taken to centres in Moree.
About 1600 residents in North Moree, Bendigleet, Gwydirfield and Yarraman were also evacuated.
About 128millimetres of rain fell on Narrabri, the largest fall for February since the 1800s. The town’s caravan park residents and vans had to be moved and problems arose with sewage.
A State Emergency Services spokeswoman said about 8700 people were isolated around the state.
Five flood rescues including one in Taree were conducted and more than 400 calls for assistance were received.
‘‘We are watching the Hunter region very closely as water starts to run towards there,’’ the spokeswoman said.
Live weather radar:
In Clarence Town, the Williams River broke its banks and the Williams River Caravan Park was closed and occupants moved to higher ground.
Roads across the Hunter were forced to close including Failford Road between the Pacific Highway and Tuncurry Road, parts of Scotts Creek Road, Murrurundi, Green Creek Road, Scone, and the Scone-Gloucester road at Cobark.
Weatherwatch meteorologist Anthony Cornelius said rain would ease today.
‘‘The trough will weaken very rapidly and rainfall should drop to between 10 to 15millimetres,’’ he said.
‘‘While the rain will ease, the runoffs will still cause problems with flooding over the next few days.’’
NSW Police and Emergency Services Minister Mike Gallacher extended natural disaster declarations yesterday to the Moree, Narrabri, Gwydir, Tenterfield and Greater Taree local government areas.
Email a friend