UPDATE
SES units are on high alert as calls for help come in after this morning's heavy rain.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Water has been reported across several roads especially in the Gunnedah area with drains unable to keep up with the falls, and slippery roads creating havoc for motorists.
SES crews were deployed to help rescue two people in Gunnedah on Saturday morning after heavy rains saw them stranded in water in their car.
They were rescued safely.
According to the RMS, flooding was affecting traffic in both directions on the Oxley Highway between Gunnedah and Coonabarabran.
Water was across the road near Frend Road with crews on scene monitoring.
Water damage has been reported to some homes and businesses, with volunteers helping to mop up the damage.
Cars have been spotted with water up to their back wheels in Peel Street Tamworth, while a truck jack-knifed at Willow Tree.
The accident has closed the New England Highway on the Tamworth side of the town.
According to the RMS, traffic was being diverted via the Kamilaroi Highway to Quirindi and then Wallabadah Road back to the New England Highway.
Crew are on scene with motorists urged to allow extra travel time.
The rain is also playing havoc with local sport, with several codes abandoning matches or delaying events.
EARLIER
BIG rainfalls have been recorded and there are reports of flash flooding across the North West after a massive rain band swept through the region.
Gunnedah has seen some of the biggest numbers in the rain gauge with upwards of 80mm recorded, 47mm at Kelvin, while Blackville saw upwards of 80mm, according to locals.
Tamworth residents awoke to the unusual sound of rain on the roof on Saturday morning with more than 45mm of rain falling before 9am at the Tamworth Airport.
There are reports of upwards of 58mm in the Kingswood area, on the edge of town, while some residents notched up 54mm in East Tamworth rain gauges, and 55mm has been reported at Loomberah. Calala saw 55mm, according to locals.
The heavy falls saw drains and gutters overflowing, also setting fire alarms off and keeping firefighters racing across town.
READ ALSO:
Tamworth Weather expert David Farrenden has been monitoring the falls closely and said some of the totals were higher than what was predicted, depending on where you were.
Some farmers have recorded between 30 to 50mm in the wider Narrabri area while the Northern Tablelands appeared to have missed the big falls in the early morning.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), by 9am, Gunnedah had recorded 80mm, Narrabri and Wee Waa had 39mm, Scone 66mm, Coonabarabran 69mm and Walgett saw 25.6mm.
Murrurundi also tipped the rain gauge at 43mm to 9am.
Inverell saw 8.2mm, Moree had only recorded 5.2, while Armidale hadn't even registered 1mm, with only 0.4 recorded to 9am.
Patchy rain is forecast for the rest of Saturday morning before clear skies return for the remainder of the weekend.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
