The New South Wales town of Forbes was "concerned but well prepared" in anticipation of major flooding expected on Tuesday, with Forbes' mayor claiming that about 1,000 people were urged to leave the area as it swept across the Midwest. State
One of the largest flood-related responses in the state was in progress early Tuesday and included 17 flood warnings and eight major warnings affecting 25 locations.
The State Emergency Service issued an evacuation alert, saying evacuations were feared as the Lachlan River was rising faster than expected and residents needed to evacuate as soon as possible or risk losing power.
As the river level rose faster than expected to 10.88 meters, 500-600 businesses and homes were predicted to be flooded again.
Forbes' deputy mayor, Chris Roylance, said the town was "cut in half" by rising floodwaters and that the downtown was evacuated under evacuation orders.
More than 100 Australian Defense Force personnel have been assigned to assist in the rescue effort, with 12 New Zealand volunteers arriving, as well as 14 aircraft, assisting and rescuing residents, and another four assisting with logistics and transport.
Steven Bernasconi of the Bureau of Meteorology talked about the massive flooding in Forbes and that it reached the same level as the 1952 flood. He said Kawara can reach a maximum of 14.3 meters, Namoi 13.6 meters, and Condoblin 7.4 meters.
The most significant flooding is occurring around Bathurst where Bathurst peaked at 6.4 metres, but has since subsided significantly, and at Ugora where it reached 9 meters and is now slowly receding.
The evacuation request for Forbes comes a week after the town was hit by record-breaking flooding that damaged roads, businesses, and homes.
Cook said the most recent flooding event lasted 70 days, with 70 local government areas covered under natural disaster declarations.
Whangala Dam is overflowing at record levels and is releasing 230,000ML per day, threatening the Lachlan River with flooding.
Perot claimed his government was committed to raising the dam, saying it would help protect people's lives.
About 150 people were rescued from rooftops in Ugowara, the central western part of the city, and the nearby town of Molong on Monday. The historic town suffered extensive damage.
SES Supt Dallas Burns said people were stunned by the speed with which the water level was rising in Ugowara.
The SES conducted flood rescue operations at 222 locations and received 909 calls for assistance in the 24 hours since Tuesday morning. Additionally, 70 local governments are in the process of receiving natural disaster declarations.
A cold front is expected to move south on Tuesday, and snow is likely across southern NSW before a southward high-pressure system brings clearing conditions on Wednesday.
