20/09/2022
Issued Tuesday 20 September 2022 at 2.30 pm
NSW SES Flood Watch Bulletin No 04 - Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter River
What is happening?
RENEWED FLOODING IS POSSIBLE FOR PARTS OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES NORTH WEST, CENTRAL WEST AND SOUTH WEST INLAND RIVERS FROM LATE WEDNESDAY
FLOODINGIS POSSIBLE IN MACLEAY, COLO AND LOWER HUNTER RIVERS AND WOLLOMBI CREEK FROM THURSDAY
FLOOD WARNINGS ARE CURRENT FOR SEVERAL NEW SOUTH WALES INLAND CATCHMENTS
A low-pressure system is forecast to bring widespread moderate rainfall to New South Wales during Wednesday and Thursday. Rain is expected to initially develop in the west and is likely to spread through most of the state on Wednesday into Thursday as the low makes its way to the east during the later part of the week.
The highest falls are likely through the inland, particularly in the Central West and North West Slopes and Plains. This rainfall may cause flooding along rivers in parts of the North West, Central West and South West inland catchments from late Wednesday, many of which are experiencing ongoing flooding due to previous rainfall in recent weeks. Flooding is also possible in several coastal river catchments which include Macleay, Colo and Lower Hunter Rivers and Wollombi Creek from Thursday.
Renewed minor to major flooding is possible along parts of the Namoi, Macquarie and Upper Lachlan River Catchments. Minor to moderate flooding is possible in the Gwydir, Peel, Castlereagh and Belubula Rivers. Minor flooding is possible in the Upper Macintyre, Bell, Bogan, Macleay, Colo and Lower Hunter Rivers and the Mandagery, Mirrool and Wollombi Creeks.
Catchments are currently wet or saturated in the inland catchments from rainfall in recent weeks.
Many NSW dams are near or at capacity.
The weather system may cause flooding for the inland catchments listed from late Wednesday and for the coastal catchments listed from Thursday. Flood classifications (minor, moderate, major) are only defined for catchments where the Bureau provides a flood warning service.
What we are expecting:
Possible in the following catcments
• Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter River – minor to moderate
Minor flood levels
Low-lying areas next to water courses are inundated. Minor roads may be closed and low-level bridges submerged. In urban areas inundation may affect some backyards and buildings below the floor level as well as bicycle and pedestrian paths. In rural areas removal of stock and equipment may be required.
What you need to do:
People in areas likely to be impacted by flooding should consider:
• Refraining from driving or walking through flood water
• Road closures and flood isolation may impact on work, family
and educational commitments
• Monitoring emergency warnings and severe weather updates
on local ABC radio, NSW SES Hunter page and
Bureau of Meteorology website
• If your property is at risk of inundation, please raise moveable
items, such as furniture, as high as possible onto benches or
tables, placing electrical items on top
• If you are advised by an emergency services officer to
evacuate, please do so
• Securing outside belongings and before leaving; turn off the
power, water and take essential medicines and clothes with
you
• Farmers should move machinery, livestock, pumps, and fodder
to flood free ground
For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500. In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.
The next bulletin will be issued by Wednesday 21 September 2022 at 2.30pm