Flood threat for northern inland NSW over the Christmas Period.

Forecasters at the Bureau of Meteorology in Sydney are alerting the public to a developing weather system that could bring flooding to parts of northern inland New South Wales over the Christmas period.

Mr Barry Hanstrum, The Bureau's Regional Director for NSW, said today,"This event could bring the heaviest widespread rainfall to northern inland NSW for over a decade."

The rain is due to a low pressure system, formerly TC Lawrence, which will track across the continent and become slow moving near the Qld/NSW border on Christmas Day.

The Bureau’s Regional Hydrology Manager, Mr Gordon McKay said today, “If predicted rainfall totals of 200-300 mm eventuate, there could be major flooding in many areas including Gilgandra, Coonamble, Bourke and Nyngan.”

“Our main concern is flooding along the Castlereagh, Bogan, Lower Namoi and Lower Macquarie Rivers, and a Flood Watch has been issued. It's too early to pin down exactly where the worst flooding will be, but I urge people to maintain a close watch on the latest forecasts and warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology," he added.

Commissioner of the NSW State Emergency Service Murray Kear said that the SES has been in close consultation with the Bureau and is planning and preparing its support for the affected communities.

Mr Kear said, “Rural property owners in the affected areas should ensure that they have sufficient food, fuel and medicine to last five to seven days. Livestock should be relocated to high ground where they can be provided with feed for the duration of any flooding. Farm equipment and pumps should also be relocated to higher ground”

“Rain may make unsealed roads impassable and causeways may be covered in fast flowing floodwaters. The SES urges that people never drive, ride, walk or play in floodwaters as water may be deeper or faster flowing than it looks and contain hidden snags and debris.”

‘There are many other things that people can do to help themselves, and these can be accessed on the SES Website", he added.

4-day-rainfall

Futher information:

For more information, the media should contact the NSW Bureau's 24 hour media line.