Final update 8.30pm:
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has revised down the expected flood peak for Moree to 10.80 metres.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
This is just below the 1955 flood height of 10.87 metres, but well above 2021 (10.43m) and 2012 (10.69m)
This high peak at Moree is expected in the early hours of Sunday morning and should remain stable for around 12 hours before being to recede.
Saturday 6pm:
The Kamilaroi Highway has reopened between Gunnedah and Breeza, in the state's north.
Only one lane of the highway is open under stop/slow traffic control at Curlewis due to water over the road.
Vehicles are passing through that section of the highway one direction at a time under escort.
In the state's north:
- The Gwydir Highway is closed between Moree and Collarenebri
- The Gwydir Highway is also closed between Moree and Warialda.
- West of Grafton, the Gwydir Highway is closed between Bald Nob and Eatonsville (Gibraltar Range).
- The Carnarvon Highway is closed between Moree and Mungindi.
- The Newell Highway is closed between Narrabri and Boggabilla.
- The Kamilaroi Highway is closed between Bourke and Walgett.
- The Kamilaroi Highway is also closed between Wee Waa and Merah North, and between Wee Waa and Spring Plains Road at Narrabri.
- The Oxley Highway is closed between Gunnedah and Carroll.
- The Oxley Highway is also closed between Warren and Collie (west of Gilgandra).
In the north west:
- The Cobb Highway is closed between Wilcannia and Ivanhoe.
- The Silver City Highway is only open to four wheel drives between Broken Hill and Packsaddle.
Saturday 4.25pm:
Residents in parts of Gunnedah are now being advised to evacuate.
Areas west of Chandos Street, Bloomfield Street, Little Conadilly Street, Rosemary Street, Tempest Street and Maitland Street are being told to head to the evacuation centre at Griffith's Pavillion at Gunnedah Showground, View Street & Oxley Highway.
Heavy rainfall is causing river rises along the Namoi River at Gunnedah. Even if your house is not inundated you will lose access and services.
The new North Western Area Command Centre in Tamworth is being immediately tested.
It is the current control centre for flooding operations across the region.
Saturday 3pm:
Additional crews are expected to arrive in Gunnedah from the Central West region, as residents there prepare for the Namoi to peak.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is predicting the Namoi will peak at about 8.4 metres tomorrow morning, which is similar to the peak of the November 2021 floods.
SES Superintendent Mitch Parker said there has been a number of breakouts from the Namoi River, and that water is flowing towards Carroll Village.
"There is a number of police and SES members working with communities on the ground to prepare for what might occur," he said.
The population of Carroll is about 200 people.
The Peel River peaked overnight and that water is now moving towards the Namoi.
Carroll residents are being urged to remove themselves to either alternative accommodation or the evacuation centre in Tamworth, where they can also access a number of welfare services.
Road closed due to landslip
The Gwydir Highway is closed in both directions between Grafton and Glen Innes at the Gibraltar Range following a large landslip. Crews are on site working and diversions are in place.
Saturday 2.40pm:
The NSW SES is directing people in Gwydirfield Road at Moree to evacuate due to dangerous flooding.
An evacuation centre has been established at Moree PCYC, Boston Street, Moree NSW
Residents in Yuluga Street, Wirrila Street, Maude Street have been advised to prepare to evacuate.
Saturday 2pm:
Residents of Carroll village are being told to evacuate, as flood waters continue to rise.
The road to Gunnedah remains cut.
An evacuation centre has been set up at Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC).
The Peel River in Tamworth peaked last night around 5.65m and is now dropping, however if more rain falls it could rise again.
Tamworth roads that remain closed.
- Appleby Lane
- Back Woolbrook Road
- Bendemeer Station Road (Bendemeer Creek near the Highway)
- Congi Low Level Bridge
- Daruka Road
- Davidsons Lane
- Ebsworth Street
- Jewry Street
- Moonbi Gap Road (Water has receeded but intensive damage to culvet)
- O'Brien's Lane
- Somerton Road/Somerton Bridge
- Tilmundra Road Allambie Bridge, MacDonald River (Bendemeer
- Wallamore Road
- Yarrol Road (near Tintinhull Road)
- Barraba Roads Closed
- Cherry Street
- William Street crossing
- Woodsreef Road (at low level bridge, possibly damage underneath)
- Manilla Roads Closed
- Borah Road (between Hobden Road and Manilla Road)
- Corella Road
- Higgins Street low level bridge
- Rushes Creek Road
- Somerton Road (Greenhatch bridge)
Water over road
- Gunnedah Road (near Somerton)
- Loomberah Road
- Duri-Dungowan Road
- Church Street Manilla
- Dunoon Road Tamworth
- Oxley Highway (near Somerton)
- Moore Creek Road
Tamworth council says Calala Lane is not expected to close.
Tamworth council is also assisting some residents at Barraba who have been impacted by flooding.
Across the north west
The NSW SES is advising people in Wee Waa and surrounding areas to prepare to isolate for up to 10 days.
Toomelah residents are being told to prepare to isolate for up to 24 hours.
Read also:
While at Narrabri there is a reduced threat and residents from Properties in North-East Narrabri are being told they can return to their homes 'with caution'.
Moree
The Bureau of Meteorology has revised Moree's second peak upwards, to possibly the same level as the 1955 flood.
It is expected to be near 10.87 metres at Moree early Sunday morning. That would be 44cm higher than the 2021 flood and 18cm higher than the 2012 event.
There is a sandbagging point set up at Taylor Oval.
Flood operations are being conducted by WaterNSW at Copeton Dam. The dam releases will vary subject to inflow and downstream tributary flow rates.
WaterNSW is working closely with the BOM, NSW SES and landholders to plan release strategies.
The local council has a list of the road closures in place. If it is flooded forget it.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark northerndailyleader.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News