Flood watch blog for Wagga and Riverina

​Monday, September 12

2.25pm: 

Wagga City Council has taken some cool footage of the swollen Murrumbidgee around the Wagga beach:

2.20pm:

SES flood warning for Mirrool Creek downstream of Barellan

Overland and out of bank flows are occurring in the Barellan area. This event is estimated to be of a greater flow volume than the recent June event.

Based on previous flood events flood flows should reach the Griffith area within the next two days.

Further rainfall is expected over Tuesday and Wednesday with predictions of totals of 20-23mm with potential for isolated local totals up to 40mm. This rainfall will cause further increases in flows in the Mirrool Creek system. Please monitor your local situation and take appropriate action.

Landholders adjacent to the Mirrool Creek, particularly in the Barellan area and downstream may experience some inundation and are advised to move stock and pumps from low lying areas.

The NSW SES will continue to monitor the situation and will issue further flood advices if required.

1pm: Burrinjuck Dam is 99.689 per cent full, according to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

Blowering Dam is 84.088 per cent full.

10.30am: Latest road closures, according to Wagga City Council:

Road closures due to flooding

Prices Road off Gap Road 

Boiling Down Road 

The Rock Road off Churches Plain Road

Cambourne Lane

Rodham's Road

Dennis Crossing Road

River Road - Estella

Clarendon Road

Shepherds Siding Road at Downside

Wiradjuri Reserve

Siselys Road (due to River Road closure)

Mundowy Lane

Whitaker Road

Matthews Road

Hatwells Road

Island View Road

Wilks Park

Edward Street West

Flowerdale Road

Bullenbong-The Rock Road

Livingstone Gully Road

Central Island Road

Lake Albert walkway is flooded in parts and Wagga Beach car park is closed. 

Water over road at the following locations

Coolamon Road - open

Kohlhagens Reserve - open

Copland Street - open

Gregadoo to Ladysmith Road - open

River Road Alfredtown - open

Lockhart Road - open

Arajoel Road - open

9.30am: The latest Bureau of Meteorology flood warning says the Murrumbidgee is nearing its peak of 8.3 metres in Wagga with minor flooding. 

Minor flooding is also current at Narrandera from last week’s flood event, and will peak again close to 7.4 metres on Saturday.

The track at Ardlethan was rated dead yesterday by the Ardlethan Picnic Races Facebook page.

Latest river heights

Murrumbidgee R at Mt Macdonald 2.58m falling (6am Monday) 

Tumut R at Tumut 0.69m falling (9am Monday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Gundagai 4.9m rising (9am Monday)

Murrumbidgee R at Eringoarrah 7.33m falling (9am Monday)

Murrumbidgee R at Wagga Wagga 8.27m steady (9am Monday)

Murrumbidgee R at Narrandera 6.99m rising (9am Monday)

Murrumbidgee R Gogeldrie Weir 6.39m rising (8.45am Monday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Darlington Point 5.52m rising (8.45am Monday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Carrathool 4.97m rising (8.45am Monday) 

Murrumbidgee R D/S Hay Weir 5.61m rising (8.45am Monday) 

Murrumbidgee R D/S Maude Weir 5.4m rising (9am Monday)

Murrumbidgee R at Redbank Weir 5.66m steady (8.45am Monday) 

Murrumbidgee R D/S Balranald Weir 5.37m steady (9am Monday)

6.30pm: Eunony Bridge Road is expected to close soon. The road floods at 8.1 metres so Wagga City Council is monitoring the area overnight.

Latest river heights:

Murrumbidgee R at Mt Macdonald 2.29m falling (1.45pm Sunday) 

Tumut R at Tumut 0.81m falling (4pm Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Gundagai 5.98m falling (4.30pm Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Eringoarrah 7.67m steady (4pm Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Wagga Wagga 7.97m rising (4.45pm Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Narrandera 6.93m rising (4.40pm Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R Gogeldrie Weir 6.33m rising (3.45pm Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Darlington Point 5.45m rising (4pm Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Carrathool 4.80m rising (2pm Sunday)

Murrumbidgee R D/S Hay Weir 5.48m rising (3.45pm Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R D/S Maude Weir 5.23m rising (4pm Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Redbank Weir 5.64m steady (3.45pm Sunday)

Murrumbidgee R D/S Balranald Weir 5.36m steady (4pm Sunday) 

5.45pm: The SES received a call at 4pm to remove band equipment from a shed at Wagga Beach. The SES has received 71 call-outs in the Murrumbidgee region since Friday, with the majority coming from flash flooding concerns during heavy rainfall.

The Narrandera flood warning has been upgraded to moderate at the end of the week. The river is expected to peak at 6.9 metres later tonight, causing minor flooding. It is then expected to peak again on September 17 at 7.3 metres, causing moderate flooding.

Wagga residents have been approaching the Fernleigh Road headquarters for sandbags to protect low-lying properties.

3.10pm: The Wagga Beach car park has been inundated with floodwater, and the Wiradjuri reserve is closed due to water over the road.

2pm: The SES launched a flood boat this morning at around 10.30am to check a van submerged in water at Wilks Park. The van’s owner appeared on the scene and there were reports of a second person possibly in the vehicle. The van was searched and given the all-clear. Ambulance and the Volunteer Rescue Association also attended the scene. SES personnel have advised the owner to not move the vehicle until water levels drop.

Noon: 

Latest River Heights:

Murrumbidgee R at Mt Macdonald 2.2m rising (7.30am Sunday) 

Tumut R at Tumut 0.92m falling (8.10am Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Gundagai 6.71m falling (8.30am Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Eringoarrah 7.6m rising (8am Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Wagga Wagga 7.6m rising (8.45am Sunday)

Murrumbidgee R at Narrandera 6.92m rising (8.40am Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R Gogeldrie Weir 6.3m rising (7.45am Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Darlington Point 5.42m rising (7.45am Sunday)

Murrumbidgee R at Carrathool 4.76m rising (8am Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R D/S Hay Weir 5.39m rising (7.45am Sunday)

Murrumbidgee R D/S Maude Weir 5.14m steady (8am Sunday) 

Murrumbidgee R at Redbank Weir 5.64m steady (7.45am Sunday)

Murrumbidgee R D/S Balranald Weir 5.36m steady (8am Sunday) 

Source: BOM

10.30am: The SES has advised some properties in the Wagga area are being isolated by floodwaters, including in Flowerdale.

The updated flood warning from the SES says the Murrumbidgee River is expected to peak near 8.3m late on Monday, or early Tuesday morning with minor flooding.

Narrandera is expected to reach a moderate flood level of 7.3m around Saturday, September 17.

6pm

Less than 5mm of rain fell in the Murrumbidgee Valley between 10am and 4pm.

River levels in the tributaries upstream of Gundagai have started to peak and Narrandera will peak from last week’s flooding rains tonight.

SES crews have checked out The Rock and Uranquinty, posting the following on Facebook.

5.30pm

Narrandera and Gundadai are expected to see their flood peaks tonight with 6.9 metres predicted for Narrandera and 6.6 metres for Gundagai.

The SES has also upgraded the flood peak expected for Wagga early on Monday to 7.9 metres.

At that height, floodwater will cover the causeway on Flowerdale Road closing the gap between the Murrumbidgee River and Flowerdale Lagoon and forming a ring which encircles all seven residences within the area. As this is the only escape route consideration needs be given to evacuating occupants prior to this height being reached.

Old Narrandera Road will also be closed at the causeway west of Currawarna between Deepwater and Durrain Roads. Alternate routes are available.

Mundowy Road between Collingullie and Coolamon will likely be closed on Sunday night at the Beavers Creek Bridge near Collingullie. This removes access between the Sturt Highway and Old Narrandera Road. At this stage of flooding alternative routes across the Murrumbidgee are normally available via Wagga Wagga or Narrandera.

Minor flood warnings remain in place for towns along the river, with Darlington Point and Hay expected to see their flood peak on Wednesday.

The SES has once again reminded people not to drive, ride or walk through floodwater after a number of rescues were carried out on Friday night and Saturday.

Sergeant Geoff Gray from Wagga police said it was frustrating to see people ignoring the warnings about driving through floodwater.

“Police are frustrated after a number incidents that required police and SES response throughout the day,” he said. “They not only put themselves at risk but also rescuers, in situations that could have potentially fatal consequences.”

For emergency help in floods and storms, call NSW SES on 132 500 or if it is a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

NSW SES website: www.ses.nsw.gov.au

FloodSafe website: www.floodsafe.com.au

Up-to-date traffic information can be found at www.livetraffic.com

Bureau of Meteorology weather forecasts and flood predictions including river height information are available at www.bom.gov.au

The SES is monitoring the situation.

5pm

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a “near zero” chance of rain for Wagga tonight, with a slight chance of rain in the southeast of the Riverina.

Sunday will likely be cloudy with patchy fog and light winds.

There is a 60 per cent chance of rain in the south on Monday and Tuesday, but only a 30 per cent chance elsewhere in the region. Wednesday should be mostly sunny, but the bureau has forecast a high chance of showers again for Thursday.

4pm

WaterNSW spokesman Tony Webber said Burrinjuck and Blowering dams had enough “airspace” to capture the “vast majority” of inflows overnight.

“If there’s still capacity left we won’t release with any great sense of urgency,” Mr Webber said.

“We pushed through the week to ensure there was enough airspace there for the weather event, as it transpired the forecasts were pretty accurate but there could be more rain through.

“We work closely with the Bureau of Meteorology when the dams are full and wet weather is prevailing, we hook up with them and the SES every day.”

Burrinjuck Dam has 34,000ML per day flowing in and WaterNSW is releasing only 600ML per day.

2.50pm

Storms are predicted for the region overnight but the flooding rain appears to have left the area. Sunday should be slightly dryer, but the rain will return from Wagga to Griffith on Monday and Tuesday.

Murrumbidgee SES volunteers have now responded to 30 jobs across the region, mostly sandbagging targeting flash-flooding and leaky roofs, but a few people tried to push their luck and had to be rescued from floodwater.

A drunk man had to be pulled out of floodwater by a level three SES flood technician at Cootamundra overnight as he was unable to grab a rope thrown to him. According to an SES spokesman, the man had left a pub and decided to try his luck in floodwater on Thompson Street.

A P-plater had to be rescued from his car on Back Mimosa Road at Temora overnight after attempting to drive through floodwater.

With the flooding rains leaving the area, the wait is now on to see how much water will come down the system and where it will cause problems.

The Rock and Uranquinty are preparing for flooding, sandbags are in place at known hotspots.

2pm

Goldfields Way near Barmedman has been affected by floodwater. Check www.livetraffic.com.au for the latest updates.

Boyds Road at The Rock is closed.

Wagga council has updated its list of road closures:

Bland Shire Council wishes to advise of the following road closures:

Murrumbidgee Irrigation infrastructure is reportedly coping well with the huge inflows.

Noon

NSW SES deputy incident controller Greg Nash said people continued to drive into floodwater at East Wagga this morning alongside SES volunteers who were trying to rescue a person trapped in their car.

“Overnight there were 18 requests for assistance and four flood rescues, including one this morning at East Wagga,” he said.

“The disappointing thing is not only did this person drive into floodwater, but people continued to drive into the floodwater while SES were on the scene effecting the rescue.

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised rainfall is forecast to ease today, but the Murrumbidgee River from Gundagai to Hay remains on minor flood watch.

Flood Watch warnings mean people living or working along rivers and streams must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop. 

Flood Warnings will be issued if a minor flood level is expected to be exceeded at key sites along the main rivers for which the Bureau of Meteorology provides a flood warning service. 

Across NSW, about 70 per cent of Flood Watches are followed by flooding.

Wagga council has advised the following roads are closed due to flooding:

Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council advised the following roads are affected by flooding:

Lockhart Shire Council advised the following roads are affected by flooding:

10.30am

A Cootamundra man had to be rescued by the SES overnight after he walked into floodwater.

Brad Morris from Murrumbidgee SES said the man found himself unable to get out of the floodwater and a rescue crew had to pull him out.

At Temora, SES volunteers had to rescue a driver from a Hyundai stuck in floodwater up to the bonnet.

This morning, a man had to be rescued after his car got stuck in floodwater on Copland Street at East Wagga. 

“We had a total of 18 jobs last night,” Mr Morris said.

“We’ve been a bit busy and we’re expecting we’ll stay busy.

“Please don’t add to the workload by walking or driving through floodwater.”

NSW SES Murrumbidgee incident controller Darryl Bailey said an average of 40mm of rain fell in the Tumut and Murrumbidgee valleys overnight.

“This rain is expected to cause minor flooding at Gundagai and Wagga Wagga this weekend,” he said.

“Minor flooding is also current at Narrandera from an earlier flood event, where a flood peak is expected on Sunday.”

Rainfall is forecast to ease during the day.

Predicted River Heights/Flows:

Gundagai

Wagga Wagga

Narrandera

Darlington Point

Carrathool

Hay

At these heights the following consequences are expected:

Gundagai

Wagga Wagga

Narrandera

Darlington Point

Hay

Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater.

For emergency help in floods and storms, call NSW SES on 132 500 or if it is a life-threatening emergency, call triple zero (000).

10am

Heavy rain overnight has seen roads affected across the Riverina.

Flooding has worsened on the highway 2km south of Gillenbah with light heavy vehicles only able to use the road with the portable traffic lights that were put in place early this morning. 

The Newell Highway between Grong Grong and Ardlethan has a water hazard warning in place, with motorists advised to reduce speed and exercise caution.

The Burley Griffin Way is also affected by flooding near Ariah Park, with alternating traffic conditions put in place by council.

The Sturt Highway near McGeochs North Road at Borambola is similarly affected, with motorists alternating on the eastbound lanes.

The Mid Western Highway 11km west of West Wyalong has also been affected by floodwater.

For the latest traffic conditions, visit www.livetraffic.com.au

Griffith City Council has advised the following roads are closed:

Leeton Shire has advised the following roads are closed:

There is also water over the following roads:

6.30pm

Griffith Jockey Club has been forced to hold a phantom meeting after heavy rainfall forced its cup meeting to be abandoned.

6pm

Daniel Brunskill sent The Daily Advertiser these videos of flash flooding at the underpass and from his driveway. 

SES advises motorists not to drive through floodwaters.

4.30pm

NSW SES Murrumbidgee incident controller Greg Nash said the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast at least 40mm of rain overnight for the Tumut catchment area.

“The focus from them is the rain falling in the Tumut catchment,” Mr Nash said.

“We’re staying in contact with WaterNSW about inflows into the dams and rivers.

“Volunteers are ready to assist and we’re keeping an eye on the situation, maintaining a 24 hour operation.”

The main storm cell is heading south toward Albury but there is still rain on the way for the whole area.

Floodwater from Tumut will take 24 to 48 hours to reach Wagga.

Race stewards are checking the track at Griffith Jockey Club to see if Saturday’s Griffith Cup will go ahead.

4pm

The following roads are closed in Narrandera Shire:

The following roads are closed in Carrathool Shire:

From the SES:

“A cold front currently over the state's west is bringing rain and the chance of thunderstorms. These conditions will extend towards the central west later this afternoon. Significant falls are expected over the southern inland today.

“This weather system has the potential to cause prolonged and renewed flooding in the following river valleys:

• Murrumbidgee River - Minor Flooding 

• Tumut River - Minor to Moderate Flooding

“This flood watch means that people living or working along rivers and streams must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop.”

3pm

Take a look at what happened this week when Mirrool Creek swamped farms near Griffith.

2.20pm

There is a renewed flood watch for minor flooding for the Murrumbidgee and Tumut Rivers, according to a statement from the SES.

Rainfall in the range of 30-50mm widespread and localised heavier falls are expected from later Friday and into Saturday morning.

These totals are expected to cause renewed river rises in catchments over the weekend and into next week.

NSW SES reminded all campers to remain away from reserves along the Murrumbidgee River as further rises were likely.

“It can be a misleading situation, don’t fall into a false sense of security that the flooding is over,” NSW SES Murrumbidgee incident controller Greg Nash said.

“Be aware of the situation, monitor the latest forecasts and warnings and remember to never enter floodwater regardless of the circumstance.” 

Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater.

For emergency assistance for flood or storm assistance call the NSW SES on 132 500 or for life threatening situations call triple 0 (000). 

2pm

Bureau of Meteorology hydrologist Justin Robinson said the eastern parts of the Riverina would cop the most rain on Friday night, with 50-60mm predicted towards Tumut.

Wagga and western parts of the Riverina are expected to get between 30 and 40mm of rain overnight.

“The flood watch for the Murrumbidgee River has been renewed and will likely result in minor flooding whereas the Tumut River could get moderate flood levels,” Mr Robinson said.

“The bureau will start issuing warnings depending on rainfall and how rivers respond.

“The most important thing to remember is not to drive through flood water.”

1pm

The Newell Highway is closed to light traffic near Narrandera.

Floodwater has covered the highway 2km south of Gillenbah and diversions are in place in both directions.

Heavy vehicles are still able to use the highway.

For more information, check www.livetraffic.com

10am

SES incident controller Greg Nash said the weather situation is being continuously monitored.

“At this stage the area has experienced lots of rain and as a result the ground is fairly soggy,” Mr Nash said.

“We’re communicating with the Bureau of Meteorology regarding the forecast for the next few days, indications are we could see 40-80mm across the district.

“SES has a number of resources on standby as well as a number of SES volunteers from out of the area, who have travelled from places like Port Stephens near Newcastle, Lismore and Coniston near Wollongong.”

There are a number of road closures expected for throughout the Riverina and motorists are advised to check www.livetraffic.com for the latest updates.

“There is some potential for flooding and flash flooding so the big message is if it’s flooded, forget it,” Mr Nash said.

“You may think you know the roads and area well but floodwater can change conditions dramatically.

“For the sake of a diversion or not attending an event, it’s better late and miss an event than need to be rescued.”