Hundreds evacuated in flooded Coonamble

Flood waters have forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes in northern
inland NSW, as severe thunderstorms hit parts of the Northern Tablelands and North
West Slopes.
Around 420 people were told to leave their homes in parts of north and east
Coonamble on Sunday afternoon because of rising flood levels, State Emergency
Service spokesman Phil Campbell told AAP.
They cannot leave the town because it is cut off by flood waters, Mr Campbell said,
but were seeking nearby alternative accommodation.
"The majority will stay with friends and family in town," he said.
The Department of Community Services was arranging for others to be put up in
motels, while some people were sleeping on mattresses at the local high school.
Pets are being looked after at the local greyhound track.
"It certainly is an inconvenience," Mr Campbell said.
"However we want to make sure that the people there do not have any risk to their
own safety, so we need to err on the side of caution."