THE wet weather that has lashed the region so far is just the beginning, weather experts have warned.
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In excess of 300mm of rainfall is expected to fall in the coming week across southern NSW as a wide band of rainfall pushes across the state.
Rainfall records will be broken with the deluge expected to be one of the biggest rainfall events southern NSW has ever seen.
Already Riverina towns have been inundated with flood waters, - the worst in Ganmain.
Yesterday afternoon State Emergency Service (SES) and Coolamon Shire Council were called to Ganmain after numerous houses were flooded after receiving more than 140mm of rain within a few hours.
The full extent of the flooding was unknown with council run off their feet also trying to close and monitor a number of roads affected by rising flood waters.
some to consider sand bagging properties after an intensive rainfall lasting more than 45 minutes.
Concerns were held for Tumut with a flood alert issues late last night.
Fears were held the Tumut River would rise well above the the 3.27 metre peak it experienced during the October floods in 2010.
Wagga’s SES moved into a state of preparedness yesterday and have warned residents to do that same.
Murrumbidgee headquarters media officer Mark Wetteland said staff are continuously monitoring the situation to provide early alerts to residents.
He said there was no way to predict where majority of rain would fall across the Murrumbidgee.
“We really need people to be prepared because there is the possibility it (extremely high rainfall) could happen anywhere,” he said.
“We would advise residents to prepare their homes by making sure the water can flow off and there is sufficient drainage around and gutters are cleaned.
“If you need assistance, give us a call.”
In the event roads are flooded the SES has advised residents to avoid driving through or entering them.
WARNINGS
- Tumut was placed on flood warning last night after the Bureau of Meteorology advised rain in the local catchment area and forecast flooding could see the Tumut River rise.
- It was expected the river would exceed minor flood
levels of two metres at 9pm and possibly reaching 3.5 metres around midnight. The warning was in excess of the 3.27 metre peak recorded in October 2010.
- Gundagai, Wagga and townships downstream were warned flooding may develop on the Murrumbidgee River.
- Cootamundra has been warned it is likely to experience moderate to major flooding along the Murrumbidgee.
- Coolamon has been forced to close a number of roads with water reported as high as one metre over the road.
As of last night the Coolamon to Wagga road remained open, but motorists were advised to travel with caution.
Five-day outlook
- Today
Rain 90% chance of 20 to 40mm
- Thursday
Possible thunderstorm 90% chance of 20 to 40mm
- Friday
Rain 90% chance of 20 to 40mm
- Saturday
Showers 80 % chance of 40 to 80mm
- Sunday
Showers 40%chance of 1 to 5mm
