Evacuations almost complete in Wagga Wagga

Nearly a thousand people have evacuated around Wagga Wagga in the Riverina region of
NSW as rising flood waters threaten properties in the area.
Evacuations in north west Gumly Gumly and eastern Wagga Wagga are almost finished,
covering an area that has a population of just under 1,000 people according to SES
spokesman Matt Kirby.
All roads into Wagga Wagga will be closed by 4pm (AEDT) and authorities appealed to
visitors and locals to make any necessary journeys in or out of town as soon as
possible.
Wagga Wagga is the capital of the Riverina area and the state's largest inland city,
known as the food bowl of Australia with a population of 60,000.
The Murrumbidgee river is due to reach 9.6 metres on Sunday evening and peak at 10
metres on Monday morning.
The Westpac rescue helicopter is in the area, 450km south-west of Sydney, and has
already completed at least one rescue.
A farmer was rescued 20km east of Wagga Wagga, shortly before 10.30am (AEDT) on
Sunday after he got trapped by rising waters as he tried to help cattle on his
property.
When the Westpac Life Saver helicopter found him, he was clinging to a barbed wire
fence in a desperate attempt to stop himself being swept away, Mr Kirby said.
NSW Premier Kristina Keneally and state emergency services minister Steve Whan are
expected to make an official visit to inspect the damage to the Wagga region and
receive a briefing from the SES and other authorities on Monday.
"We are continuing to monitor the situation in flood-affected regions closely so
that the Government can provide help where it is needed," Ms Keneally said in a
statement on Sunday.
"The crop losses are a devastating sting in the tail for farmers who have been
battling ten years of drought.
"The government is ready to help these communities and will look to providing
additional assistance if conditions do not improve, such as extending the natural
disaster declaration to more areas," Ms Keneally said.
AAP dmg/maur