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NSW SES spokesperson Ashley Sullivan said about 500 homes are on evacuation orders, with many of them seeing over-floor flooding now.
“Until that water recedes and we can get in and do those damage assessments we’re not going to know the full impact but this is a significant flood for Forbes,” Sullivan said.
“It has inundated many properties here in Forbes and there is more to come as this river continues to rise in the next couple of days.
He said his team conducted many flood rescues yesterday and overnight.
“We’re continuing with the sandbagging effort to try and save as many homes as possible.”
“Major flooding is occurring at Forbes, where river levels may peak during Saturday,” the BoM said.
“This major flood peak is forecast to pass through Cottons Weir late Saturday.”
Farmers swap harvesters for tinnies as floodwaters rise
Forbes local Greg said floodwaters began coming into his home around 2am.
”At the moment we’re sloshing around in a foot of water in the bottom unit,” Greg said.
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“Having said that we have nothing to complain about whereas people around the corner from us, you know, it’s all through their houses.
“We have to be thankful for the SES and all the volunteers who always come out to see how we are, if we’re going okay.”
He said Forbes was a resilient town and they will get through it.
In Wagga Wagga, the Murrumbidgee River is flooding with river levels peaking at 9.77 metres overnight, higher than the December 2010 levels.
BoM said it was currently sitting around 8.21 metres and was falling.
River levels at Gundagai had fallen below the major flood level, with moderate flooding occurring.
Downstream of the Lachlan River, major flooding is occurring at Nanami, Cottons Weir and Jemalong.
Minor flooding is also occurring at Cowra.
Narrandera residents are being warned to prepare for major flooding on Sunday.
