MENINDEE FLOODS EQUIVALENT TO FILLING SYDNEY HARBOUR EVERY SIX DAYS
04/01/2023 01:41 PM
NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) is continuing to assist the Menindee township in Far Western NSW as major flooding continues.
The Bureau of Meteorology has advised major flooding is occurring at Menindee, where the Darling River level is currently steady near 10.20 metres.
Due to variable inflows to Menindee Lakes, further rises to 10.70 metres are possible at Menindee town gauge from around Thursday this week.
This level is above the 1976 flood record of 10.47 metres.
Water management is being conducted by WaterNSW at Menindee Weir, which is currently releasing 75,000ML/day through the Menindee Main Weir.
This is the equivalent of 30,000 Olympic Pools and would fill Sydney Harbour in 6 days.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner, Dean Storey, said the relentless flooding across Far West and Southern NSW will continue well into the new year.
“The NSW SES is continuing to support affected communities through preparation and response for the duration of the flood emergency across the state.
“The situation at Menindee is being closely monitored by the Bureau of Metrology, who have reported river levels are likely to remain above major (9.70 metres) through to mid-January,” he added.
NSW SES Incident Controller at Broken Hill, Superintendent Gavin Arnold, said large numbers of volunteers from across the state, have given up their precious time with family over the Festive season to assist the Menindee community.
“Our volunteers are dedicated, and it has been wonderful to see the hard work they have been doing in Menindee assisting the remote community,” he noted.
“At present, 10 properties have been evacuated, while 20 other property owners have decided to shelter in place.
“NSW SES volunteers will continue welfare checks of those property owners and are on site to provide resupply if they begin running low on supplies,” Sup. Arnold.
An evacuation order remains in place for properties which are expected to be impacted by this flooding. Residents were advised to evacuate their properties before 10am on 30 December and that will remain in place until the emergency passes.
For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Media enquiries: NSW SES Media 1800 067 234 or media@ses.nsw.gov.au