Wangenella residents who have not already fled from rising flood waters appear to be hunkering down instead of evacuating as a peak makes its way through the Billabong Creek.
A prepare to isolate alert was issued for the Wanganella township by the SES on Saturday afternoon.
Warning that “you may be trapped without power, water, and other essential services and it may be too dangerous for New South Wales SES to rescue you”, the SES urged residents to consider the effects isolation will have on family, work, and educational commitments.
“The safest option is to evacuate as early as possible to avoid additional hazards. Do not wait until the last minute,” the alert said.
“Floodwaters are continuing to rise along the Billabong Creek and may cause isolation of properties.
“Roads may close or become impassable.
“It is important you stay informed of your surrounds and monitor local conditions.”
Wanganella farmer Colin McCrabb and his wife Amanda have been preparing the best they can.
Speaking to the Pastoral Times yesterday, Mr McCrabb said the Wanganella township was moderately affected with “some houses impacted” by water surrounding them.
“We have moved stocked and raised any equipment and other items to be kept away from the water, but at this stage our infrastructure is sound,” he said.
“We are limited in our stock movement due to rising water and water over roads.
“At the moment the biggest concern is the unregulated flow coming across the plains.
“It’s a guessing game; there is no exact way of measuring what is coming.”
At the time of going to print yesterday, the Billabong Creek at Wanganella was at 4.97m.
It has risen 35cm in the past week, and is still rising steadily.
Fed out of the Murrumbidgee system, the Billabong is receding at Conargo where it was 4.48m yesterday and dropping about 3cm a day.
In the Murray system, the Edward River at Deniliquin was yesterday 8.73m.
This latest flood surge peaked at 9.18m Tuesday last week.
The largest single drop since then was 10cm between Saturday and Sunday.
People in areas likely to be impacted by flooding should raise their assets, including waste and chemical containers above expected flood heights.
If you are isolated and require resupply, contact NSW SES on 132 500.
If you are likely to be isolated due to flooding, stock up on essential items now.
Contact your Local Land Services Office for rural animal and livestock assistance at lls.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 814 647.
Local road closures are listed at www.edwardriver.nsw.gov.au, or check livetraffic.com.au or 132 701.
For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500.
In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.