Wanaaring and surrounds flooding - Prepare to evacuate
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NSW State Emergency Service
Watch and Act
Prepare to evacuate
The NSW SES advises people in the following area(s) to PREPARE TO EVACUATE due to current quickly rising major flooding:
- Wanaaring and low-lying areas
You should monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate so that you can safely evacuate when instructed to do so by NSW SES. Wherever possible, you should prepare to stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements.
Evacuation Information
If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you.
What are we expecting?
The Bureau of Meteorology advises significant and widespread rainfall was observed across the Paroo River catchment last week, which has caused widespread and dangerous major flooding along the Paroo River in Queensland. A significant major flood peak passed through Willara Crossing during Sunday morning, where significant flooding higher than the 1990 and 2010 flood levels have occurred.
River levels are rising quickly at Wanaaring where major flooding is occurring.
The Paroo River at Wanaaring was at 4.90 metres and rising at 07:00 am Monday, with major flooding.
This level is higher than the 1990 (4.88 m) and 2010 (4.80 m) flood levels. The Paroo River at Wanaaring may peak near 5.30 metres around Monday, with major flooding. The river level is expected to remain above the major flood level (4.00 m) during the next few days.
Based on predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, the following areas may be impacted by dangerous floodwaters:
- Primary producers in low-lying areas should move livestock and equipment to higher ground.
- Low-lying roads, bridges and causeways along the river and creeks.
- Unsealed roads may become impassable.
This event may change quickly. NSW SES will monitor the situation and update warnings if the situation changes.
What you need to do:
- If you have a Home or Business Emergency Plan, follow it. Otherwise, have a conversation and plan for what you will do and take with you if you need to evacuate.
- Have your mobile phone close and pack your charger, battery-powered radio, medicine, rain gear, warm clothes, blankets, baby and pet items, water, food, torch, something to attract attention, and valuables like photos and insurance or banking records.
- Wear enclosed shoes and pack warm clothes for at least three days to manage unseasonably cool conditions.
- Check your vehicle fuel levels and towed equipment (e.g., horse floats, trailers) to ensure you can safely evacuate.
- Arrange to evacuate to the home of family or friends who are in a safe location away from present and potential flooding. Consider how to transport your pet(s) and companion animals.
- Lift important belongings up onto tables, beds, benches, and shelves above predicted flood levels.
- Collect or create sandbags by filling pillowcases or shopping bags with sand and place them around doorways and in toilets and over drains to prevent rising sewage.
- Relocate waste containers, chemicals, and poisons well above flood level.
- Investigate whether there are other hazards (e.g., severe storms, landslip, flash floods) that will impact your ability to evacuate.
- Avoid storm drains and pipes, ditches, ravines, creeks, and rivers.
- Never drive, walk, ride through, play or swim in floodwater - it is dangerous, toxic, and may void your car insurance. If it's flooded, forget it. Fines apply.
- Obey all signs about road closures and instructions from emergency services.
For more information:
- Listen to your local ABC radio station which can be found at reception.abc.net.au
- Download the Hazards Near Me app and set your watch zones to get warning information for your areas.
- Follow us on social media @NSWSES or visit our website at www.ses.nsw.gov.au
- Learn about your risk at www.ses.nsw.gov.au/knowyourrisk
- Check latest weather, warnings, rainfall and river heights at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/
- Check road closures at www.livetraffic.com.au or 132 701 or your local Council.
For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
Media enquiries: media@ses.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 067 234
