NSW floods: 'Get out of town before 5pm'

Photo / news.com.au

Residents of Forbes have been ordered to evacuate as the Lachlan River approaches record levels.

State Emergency Service Deputy Commissioner Mark Morrow said the river is most likely to exceed 10.6m sometime Sunday.

"Forbes is the main area of concern, with another 5-15mm of rain predicted for tomorrow," he said.

"The people of Forbes should excavate today between 9am and 5pm as we have issued an evacuation order for them to go.

"We issue a warning yesterday so that they had ample time to prepare and get to the evacuation centre at Forces High School if they needed to."

The evacuation order applies to areas north, east, south and southwest of the town, which is located in the state's central west.

The pain is unlikely to stop for the historic NSW town, population 7500, with rain predicted tomorrow as well as Thursday next week.

"If the Lachlan River exceeds 10.6m it exceeds the 1990 flood and it is highly likely it could become a flood of record for the Forbes," he said.

Water surrounds his Condobolin property and his business is bleeding $15,000 per day, but Bernard Weber believes he is one of the lucky ones.
The 42-year-old earthmover has lived through at least three major floods in the Lachlan Shire and said this one is shaping up as the worst.

"Everyone is pretty good at dealing with it because we have been through the 1990 flood," the father of three said.

"Over the next few days will be a lot of very concerned people because there will most likely be houses damaged.

"I'm lucky that my home is 15m above the river."

Flood waters cut off access to Mr Weber's three excavators, which are in high demand. Many homeowners have asked him to dig dirt and create a bank around their properties, something which he can't do.

"Since 2012 we have had plenty of warning that an event like this was coming," he said.

"A lot of people have taken advantage of that warning and have done something, while others have been complacent."

Mr Weber said flooded roads have prevented farmers from getting their livestock to market, an economic cost which he said will only spiral.

When the Lachlan River reaches record levels on Sunday, the damage to property will only add to the overall cost of the disaster.

The lifelong Lachlan Shire resident said is lucky compared to the cotton farm he works on, who stand to lose a $6m crop.

If evacuating, the SES says residents should:

• Take your important documents, mementos and photos

• Take your spare clothing, medicines and personal hygiene supplies

• If you are going to the evacuation centre, take blankets/sleeping bags, pillows and sleeping mats

• If possible, check to see if your neighbours need help

• Turn off the electricity and gas

• Never drive ride or walk through floodwater

• Continue to listen to a local radio station for updates