Heavy rain has caused havoc in north western New South Wales, throwing the travel plans of many into chaos.
The State Emergency Service (SES) warns that many roads have been closed and those that have been opened could face heavy congestion. The Newell Highway is closed between Moree and the Queensland border and will be reassessed tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.
The Carnavon Highway is closed in both directions between Mungindi and Moree. The Gwydir Highway is closed between Moree and Collarenebri and 20km east of Moree. The Kamilaroi Highway is also closed in parts. Thunderbolts Way near Emu Crossing at Bundarra is closed in both directions. The Oxley Highway is closed between Carroll and Gunnedah. Travellers should check with the RTA for up-to-date road status information.
Hundreds of properties are cut off at Moree and flooding is also affecting towns further south at Gunnedah and Wee Waa. There have also been casualties. A three-year-old boy has drowned in a stormwater drain at Bingara, west of Inverell and a seven-year-old boy has been swept away in the Murrumbidgee River at Wagga Wagga. He had been playing with friends nearby when he fell and was swept out of sight. He has yet to be located.
About 1800 residents in Wee Waa and about 200 rural properties in the Moree area were left isolated over the weekend … and are likely to remain so for several days.
“We drop off food, water, any medicine and I know of one area where they flew in a doctor just to make sure everyone was okay,” said an SES spokesperson.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that although the weather has mostly brightened, emergency services remain on red alert as rain that has lashed some rural parts filters through rivers.
Half a dozen flood warnings remain in place across NSW and more rain is expected in the days ahead.
