Wanaaring and surrounds flooding - Prepare to isolate
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NSW State Emergency Service
Watch and Act
Prepare to isolate
The NSW SES advises people in the following area(s) to PREPARE TO ISOLATE for up to 6 weeks or longer due to predictions that the Paroo River at Wanaaring is expected to cause isolation of:
- Wanaaring and low-lying areas
You should monitor the situation and prepare to be isolated by floodwater. Consider the effects isolation will have on family, work, and educational commitments.
You may be trapped without power, water, and other essential services and 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 major flood peak passed though Eulo on Monday, Caiwarro on Wednesday, and is approaching Hungerford with levels already above the 1990 flood level.
Downstream, river levels are rising at Wanaaring where major flooding is likely from early next week, with further rises likely higher than the 1990 and 2010 flood levels, from mid next week.
The Paroo River at Wanaaring is currently at 2.40 metres and rising, with minor flooding and is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (3.30 m) during Saturday.
The river level is expected to exceed the major flood level (4.00 m) from early next week and may reach around 5.10 metres from mid next week, with major flooding.
Further rises are possible. Peak predictions will be provided once upstream peaks have been observed.
Based on predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, the following areas may be impacted by flooding:
- 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.
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.
- Be prepared - you may be isolated for an extended period of time. Make sure you have essential supplies prepared to last for at least three to five days, including food, drinking water, medications, pet food, and animal feed.
- Be prepared - you may lose services including power, communications, water, sewerage, and gas. Relocate waste containers, chemicals, and poisons well above the flood level.
- Companion animals and livestock should be relocated to higher ground that will not become an island.
- Monitor the situation closely for updates on rain and river conditions.
- Share this information with family, friends, and neighbours, and help others prepare for isolation where possible.
- If you become isolated, notify NSW SES by calling 132 500
For more information:
- Listen to your local ABC radio station which can be found at reception.abc.net.au
- Listen to 2WEB Outback Radio 585AM and ABC Radio 657AM
- 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.
- If you are a primary producer and need assistance with livestock management, please call the Agricultural and Animal Services hotline on 1800 814 647
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