NSW SES watching for floods as massive amounts of rain predicted across the region

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) along with the SES are expecting the possibility of floods across the Peel, Namoi and Gwydir rivers, with flood watches in place.

The lead up to Christmas 2020 is a far cry from the ravaging fires that ravaged towns this time last year, when 11 fires were burning uncontrollably across the region.

SES crews have already responded to flood damage in towns like Gunnedah, Wee Waa and Narrabri across the weekend, and it's predicted Tamworth may be next with the potential for over 100mm to hit hard tomorrow.

The BoM is predicting heavy falls of 70 to 120mm of rain with the potential for another 20 to 50mm to follow on Tuesday.

Since Thursday, Tamworth airport has recorded 42.4mm of the wet stuff. Gunnedah doubled that figure with 84.2mm recorded, and it's not likely to stop soon. Falls between 60 to 120mm are predicted tomorrow, followed by 10 to 25 on Tuesday.

Emergency crews across the region were flooded with call-outs after two super cells hit the town less than an hour apart on Friday, with Gunnedah one of the heaviest hit by the drenching rain and severe thunderstorms.

But NSW SES warn, it's not over yet.

A NSW SES spokesman said crews responded to a total of 36 requests for help on Friday and the weekend from across the Gunnedah, Narrabri and Wee Waa areas.

Of those, 31 were from Gunnedah alone.

READ ALSO:

"Overall, these were many of these jobs were for sandbags, leaving and damaged roofs, and fallen trees and branches," he said.

One of the incidents occurred on Anzac Parade, where someone was in urgent need of sandbags to stop his property from flooding completely.

"There was also a job where a large tree had fallen across Marquis Street," he said of Gunnedah's main thoroughfare.

He said crews also responded to a weather event akin to that of a "tornado" which ripped through a house in Wee Waa on Friday.

Severe flood warnings were issued across the region last Thursday, with Moree one of the earliest, including surrounding areas such as Bellata and Pallamallawa.

However, the warnings were downgraded on Friday as the Gwydir River failed to reach six metres at Pallamallawa, despite fears the village may have been cut off.

While there was another flood watch for the Macintyre River on Saturday, it was later removed at 11am on Sunday morning.

After the tragic death of a Queensland grazier just days ago, the SES spokesman told the Leader he hoped the New England North West region would be on alert and make sure they knew what to do before it was too late.

Police said the man had been moving cattle to higher ground on Wednesday night when a flash flood suddenly swamped his vehicle and swept it away downstream.

The SES spokesman urged people working or camping along the Gwydir, Peel and Namoi rivers to monitor river heights and be prepared to move to higher ground.

Those travelling on our roads are reminded to never drive through floodwater as they may be deep and fast flowing, containing hidden snags and debris.

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500, or call 000 for emergencies.