File photo. Driving through flooded streets in Australia. Photobucket.

EDIS Number: FL-20120203-34036-AUS
Date / time: 03/02/2012 04:32:29 [UTC]
Event: Flood
Area: Australia
Country: Australia
State/County: State of New South Wales
Location: [North Moree, Yarraman, Gwydirfield, Pallamallawa, Wee Waa and Bendygleet]
Number of Evacuated: 2200 person(s)
Damage level: Large

Description:

More than 2200 people have spent the night in evacuation centres across northwest New South Wales as flooding that has affected the region for 10 days shows no sign of easing. About 1600 people were evacuated from homes in North Moree, Yarraman, Gwydirfield and Bendygleet last night, with the Mehi River forecast to burst its banks this morning. Most were being accommodated at the Police Community Youth Club in South Moree. A further 680 people left their homes in Pallamallawa and Biniguy, east of Moree, as the Gwydir River flooded. About 1650 residents may be asked to leave their homes in Wee Waa early on Friday as the Namoi River threatens to flood. As of last night there were 9000 people isolated by floodwaters across NSW. "The situation on the north coast looks like easing, although we are continuing to monitor the situation," a State Emergency Service spokesman said. "The northwest is a real focus at the moment." The SES performed 11 flood rescues yesterday, including a number of medical evacuations. NSW Police took more than 80 calls at its flood public information and inquiry centre.

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner were due to tour flood-affected parts of Moree this morning. The Mehi River near Moree is expected to swell up to levels not seen since 1976. SES spokesman Andrew Richards said there’s a predicted flood peak in Moree of about 10.6 metres at about 9am (11am NZT) today with the Mehi River forecast to burst its banks. “That’s the equivalent to the 1976 flood there in Moree,” Richards said. “It’s not quite the record but it’s almost the record.” Gordon McKay, NSW Flood Warning Centre manager at the Bureau of Meteorology, said the flood peak at Moree was expected to be the biggest concern today. He said the flooding could be worse than it was 1976 because the flood depth in parts of town would be higher. “A lot of the flood is actually going through town rather than past the gates,” McKay said. “In Moree houses are flooded and there will also be some commercial buildings affected.” Meanwhile the federal government has announced that disaster funding will be made available in Tenterfield, Greater Taree, Moree, Narrabri and Gwydir local government areas.