Wagga wagga faces flood evacuation

Wagga Wagga residents will be briefed on evacuation procedures as the city joins a
growing list of NSW centres on alert amid rising flood levels.
The State Emergency Service (SES) will hold a public meeting at 7pm (AEST) Friday at
North Wagga Hall to address residents of North Wagga and Gumly Gumly in southern
NSW.
"We want to talk to them about the possibility of evacuation: about what they can do
to prepare themselves and their property, what options they have if they have to
leave and can't go to family or friends," an SES spokesman told AAP.
The meeting comes as strong overflows from the Burrinjuck Dam on the Murrumbidgee
River continue to threaten the area.
"We worked out that 70,000 Olympic swimming pools a day (are being released from the
dam)," the spokesman said.
"Wagga is a concern for us on Sunday morning because there is still uncertainty over
how much higher the river will rise."
Wagga Wagga's council chambers was closed on Friday and the shopping centre car park
also flooded.
Areas along the banks of the Murrumbidgee have already faced evacuation with two
caravan parks in the nearby town of Gundagai cleared as flood waters deluge the
area.
Earlier on Friday, two properties in Jugiong were also evacuated.
In central western NSW, conditions have eased at Parkes, where earlier on Friday
roads became impassable due to flash flooding, impacting on the town's 10,000
residents.
The automatic weather station at Parkes airport recorded 106mm of rain in the 24
hours to 9am (AEDT) on Friday.
Forbes, in central NSW, also faced flash flooding with more than 70mm of rain over
the past 24 hours.
In northern NSW, Coonamble continues to be isolated by floods from the Castlereagh
River.
The village of Pilliga, with a population of 140, is also cut off after heavy rain
overnight on Thursday along with the nearby town of Wee Waa.
NSW Minister for Emergency Services Steve Whan on Friday visited both flood-ravaged
areas, touring Coonamble and flying over Pilliga.
The town of Warren on the Macquarie River remains on alert for major flooding and is
expected to peak near 9.4 metres on Sunday night.
SES helicopters are on standby to provide food and emergency help to flood-affected
areas across NSW.
Statewide, the SES has received more than 700 calls for help since Monday.
People in trouble and wanting to call the SES for help should call 132 500.
Information on local road closures is available from the RTA on 131 700.