News

People in Wagga Wagga, Albury, Deniliquin, Tibooburra, Cobar and Bourke are being asked to prepare for flash flooding with the NSW State Emergency Service gearing up for a busy couple of days.

 The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across inland and southeast parts of the state with locally intense rainfall possible as well. There is a flood watch current for the Murrumbidgee, Tumut, Queanbeyan and Belubula Rivers with flood warnings also in place for river systems across the northern inland.

 NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York is urging the community to heed the advice of emergency services.

 “People in these communities may not have experienced heavy rainfall in a long time, and while the rain will be a welcome relief to drought affected areas, I’m urging residents to please be careful and never enter flood water,” said Commissioner York.

 “It’s not worth risking your life, the life of your loved ones and the emergency services personnel who have to come and rescue you. Protect yourselves.”

 The NSW State Emergency Service is advising that people should:

• Never drive, walk or ride through floodwater
• Keep your kids away from storm drains and creeks.
• Areas affected may need to prepare for possible isolations
• Stock up on essential items such as food, water, medications and fuel
• Have a plan for what to do with pets as well as working animals and stock feed
• Farmers advised to move stock, chemicals and farm equipment to higher grounds
• If you need emergency help in floods or storms, call the NSW SES 132 500