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11.34am Dubbo has escaped the worst of the predicted flooding along the Macquarie River.
The river was expected to peak around 7.6 metres on Thursday night, forcing the closure of the Emile Serisier Bridge, following an earlier peak around 4.79m that morning.
But the second peak – the water flowing down from the Bell River, which peaked around 6.3m at Wellington on Thursday morning – never eventuated, and NSW State Emergency Service Macquarie region controller David Monk said the danger has passed.
“Yeah pretty much. The predicted rainfall over the weekend isn’t huge,” he said.
“Some minor falls – I think it’s forecast between three and five millimetres. That won’t have any impact on the river.
“The Macquarie River at Dubbo...will go back to its normal height of around about one metre and we’re now following the peak further down the river.”
A total of 42 requests for assistance were received by the SES in the 48 hours to 1pm Thursday, with no further calls for help received overnight.
Western Plains Regional Council had closed Bligh Street between Erskine Street and Wingewarra Street on Thursday, reopening the road after 9pm following revised flood advice from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
Following the revised flood advice at 9pm, Western Plains Regional Council reopened Bligh Street in Dubbo’s CBD.
Access to Bligh Street along Talbragar and Church Streets had also been blocked, while roadways across the region were closed due to water over the road.
“That was a join decision between the SES and council,” Mr Monk said of the Bligh Street closure.
“I would say that we have to take into consideration the safety of people and property – hat’s what emergency services manage.
“It’s much better to mitigate the risks so putting those road closures in place meant that if it did get to 8m we weren’t going to see people’s cars being flooded [because they had parked there earlier in the day].”
Mr Monk said the caution shown by council, as well as businesses and residents along the Macquarie River, meant Dubbo would have been well positioned for the predicted peak.
“In all, despite the fact that we [initially] had a forecast peak of 8m at Dubbo, I think with all the arrangements that were put in place, all of the shops and premises on the Macquarie River in Dubbo were very prepared this time,” he said.
“Should it have eventuated, it was good to see a lot of people prepared this time to save anything.”
SES volunteers and staff would now turn their attention to the peak at Warren, which is expected to reach major flood level (9.1 metres) on Saturday.
But many volunteers returned to work today, and Mr Monk took the opportunity to thank the businesses that allowed their staff time off to volunteer.
“To have employees allow their employees to go is a really good and encouraging sign,” he said.
“They’re contributing to the safety of the community.”
Friday, 8.48am Flood warnings have been revised for the Macquarie River at Dubbo, after water levels continued to fall overnight.
The river fell to 3.84 metres around 8pm Thursday, and had dropped to 2.66 metres by 7am Friday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
The river is not expected rise again, meaning the closure of the Emile Serisier Bridge is now unlikely.
Following the revised flood advice at 9pm, Western Plains Regional Council reopened Bligh Street in Dubbo’s CBD.
Meanwhile in Wellington, levels in the Bell River have fallen below the minor flood level.
Further west, the Macquarie River at Narromine peaked at 7.9 metres on Thursday afternoon, a day earlier than expected, with levels now falling.
The Bogan River at Peak Hill peaked near 3.81 metres on Thursday morning with minor flooding. River levels are now easing with minor flooding continuing.
Downstream of Peak Hill, moderate flooding is expected at Dandaloo and downstream from this weekend onwards.
Predicted River Heights/Flows:
- Dandaloo – exceed minor flood level (4.1 metres) Thursday night [21/07/16]; peak near 5.7 metres around Sunday [24/07/16] with moderate flooding
- Mudall – reach 3.5 metres around 28/07/16 with moderate flooding
- Nyngan – reach 3.6 metres around 31/07/16 with moderate flooding
Renewed flooding is expected at Mulgawarrina and Gongolgon, predictions will be made once upstream peaks are observed.
Thursday, 8.45pm Western Plains Regional Council has thanked motorists in Dubbo's CBD for their patience today.
In their latest traffic update, the council said it would monitor and assess conditions Friday morning. The following arrangements are still in place:
- Bligh Street remains closed from the intersection of Erskine Street through to the intersection with Wingewarra Street. Access to Bligh Street from Talbragar Street and Church Street is also closed.
- The Emille Serisier Bridge is open
- Troy Bridge Road is open
- Pedestrian/cycleway bridges on the Tracker Riley Cycleway closed
6.12pm Western Plains Regional Council advises that current traffic management in the Dubbo CBD remains in place following the latest Flood Warning advice predicting the Macquarie River to peak sometime Thursday night at 7.6 metres.
While Dubbo was fortunate to avoid more significant traffic disruption in the CBD today there remains a chance that road closures will need to be put in place overnight on the Serisier Bridge.
An assessment of conditions and current Flood Warnings will be made Friday morning.
Currently:
- Bligh Street is closed between Erskine Street and Wingewarra Street
- The Emille Serisier Bridge is open
- Troy Bridge Road is open
- Pedestrian/cycleway bridges on the Tracker Riley Cycleway are closed. These are the Yabang Gee Bridge on the lower part of Tamworth Street and the Shibble Bridge near Dundullimal Reserve.
Council appreciates the disruption road closures have had on CBD traffic. Decisions are made as precautions based on the predicted flood peaks in the interests of public safety.
3.43pm Western Plains Regional Council advises the following traffic management plans remain in place for the Dubbo CBD:
- Bligh Street is closed from the intersection of Erskine Street through to the intersection with Wingewarra Street. Access to Bligh Street from Talbragar Street and Church Street is also closed.
- Pedestrian/Cycleway bridges on the Tracker Riley Cycleway are closed. These are the Yabang Gee Bridge on the lower part of Tamworth Street and the Shibble Bridge near Dundullimal Reserve.
- Troy Bridge Road is open
- The Emille Seriser Bridge is open
A Flood Warning is still current for the Macquarie River with an expected peak at Dubbo near 7.6 metres Thursday night.
Council appreciates the disruption road closures have had on CBD traffic but remain cautious about the potential for flooding.
Dubbo Branch of the Macquarie Regional Library and the Visitors Information Centre have taken precautions in case of flood but remain open as per normal opening hours.
Conditions will be monitored Thursday evening and assessed Friday morning to determine what road closures are necessary based on the latest Flood Warnings and river height predictions and weather forecasts.
Updates on local road closures in the Dubbo district are available at www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/roadclosures.
Updates on local road closures in the Wellington district are available at www.wellington.nsw.gov.au/public-notices/489-road-closures
Other information is available from the Bureau of Meteorology, RMS livetraffic and the State Emergency Service.
2.56pm NSW State Emergency Service Macquarie region controller David Monk said the most dangerous time of the Dubbo flood is now.
The Macquarie River at Dubbo peaked at 4.79 metres this morning, and has since fallen to around 4.1m.
But Mr Monk is warning motorists not to get complacent or think the threat is over, as the river is expected to peak again tonight around 7.6m,
He said the next few hours would be the most critical, and said it is imperative people stop walking and driving through flood waters.
“We really want to stop that practice completely,” he said.
“It’s just too dangerous and they’re risking the lives of the emergency services.”
2.10pm Flooding that is expected to peak at the Macquarie River in Narromine on Friday won’t impact the town according to the Narromine Shire director of infrastructure and engineering, Kerrie Murphy.
Ms Murphy said residents don’t need to do much to prepare.
“[The flood] is not expected to impact the town, only some minor rural flooding and local road closures,” she said.
Read the full story here.
1.58pm The NSW State Emergency Service is urging motorists not to become complacent.
The Macquarie River at Dubbo peaked around 4.79 metres on Thursday morning before starting to fall.
But as other river peaks continue to flow downstream, the SES is warning of a second peak of around 7.6m later tonight, which would force the closure of the Emile Serisier Bridge.
Creeks and streams continue to be fast-moving, making them dangerous to cross.
Flooding can also undermine the structural integrity of roadways.
NSW SES Macquarie region controller David Monk said driving through flood waters is “not worth risking your life, for the extra ten minutes it will take to drive around it”.
1.28pm Renshaw McGirr Way (Wellington/Yeoval) at Bell River Bridge Wellington has now reopened to traffic.
12.30pm A flood warning for the Macquarie River at Dubbo has been revised, with the river now expected to peak on Thursday night.
The river had fallen slightly to 4.42 metres at 11am, down from 4.73m about 8am.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting the river will peak near 7.6m at Dubbo.
The river is expected to reach 9.6m at Narromine on Friday.
Previously, it had been predicted the river at Dubbo would reach 5.5m around midday on Thursday, and reach around 8m later this afternoon.
The next flood warning is expected by 5pm Thursday.
For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
11.19am Narromine News and Nyngan Observer reporter Grace Ryan is monitoring the roads across Western NSW.
11.08am From the State Emergency Service this morning:
Moderate flooding is current along the Bell River at Wellington where the river peaked near 6.3 metres this morning around 4.30am.
Minor flooding is also occurring along the Macquarie River at Wellington Bridge where the river peaked near 4.8 metres this morning.
Moderate flooding is expected along the Macquarie River at Dubbo.
Predicted River Heights:
- Dubbo (Macquarie River) – exceed minor flood level (5.5 metres) around midday today. Reach 8.0 metres this afternoon with moderate flooding. This will see the closure of the Emile Serisier Bridge (low level, Newell Hwy Bridge) as well as other local roads and bridges.
- Narromine – exceed minor flood level (5.5 metres) around 4pm Thursday afternoon. Reach 10.0 metres Friday, with moderate flooding.
- Warren Town – exceed minor flood level (7.5 metres) Friday, reach major flood level (9.1 metres) on Saturday.
If your property is impacted by floodwaters at the above heights the time to act is now.
NSW SES urges motorists to take extreme care as there is water flowing across causeways and some local roads. Motorists are advised not to drive through floodwater as they may be deep and fast flowing and contain hidden snags and debris.
People working or camping along the Bell and Macquarie Rivers should continue to monitor river heights. Farmers and landholders are advised to relocate livestock, pumps and machinery to higher ground.
Waste and chemical containers should be located well above predicted flood levels. Farmers are advised to contact their local LLS Ranger or Industry and Investment NSW for assistance. If isolation is expected to occur due to floodwaters or impassable roads, people are advised to stock up now on food fuel and other essential items. Don’t forget your pets and working animals.
The next warning is expected by 1pm Thursday.
10.23am The management of Charter Hall have issued the following message:
10.01am Western Plains Regional Council advises the following traffic management plans are in place for the Dubbo CBD and main roads:
Dubbo Square remains open and trading as normal at this point. On behalf of Charter Hall and our retail tenants we would like to thank all emergency services personnel who are assisting the community.
- Bligh Street is closed from the intersection of Erskine Street through to the intersection with Wingewarra Street. Access to Bligh Street from Talbragar Street and Church Street is also closed.
- Pedestrian/Cycleway bridges on the Tracker Riley Cycleway are closed. These are the Yabang Gee Bridge on the lower part of Tamworth Street and the Shibble Bridge near Dundullimal Reserve.
- Troy Bridge Road is open
- The Emille Seriser Bridge is open
- The Muronbung to Goolma Road (Dubbo to Mudgee Road via the Golden Highway) is open
A Flood Warning has been issued for the Macquarie River with an expected peak at Dubbo of 8.0 metres by Thursday afternoon.
If the Emille Serisier Bridge is closed traffic will be diverted over the LH Ford Bridge, along Cobra Street through to Fitzroy Street to access the northern parts of the CBD and Dubbo.
Updates on local road closures in the Dubbo district are available at www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/roadclosures
Updates on local road closures in the Wellington district are available at www.wellington.nsw.gov.au/public-notices/489-road-closures
Road closures will be reviewed as further information on flood conditions becomes available.
Other information is available from the Bureau of Meteorology, RMS live traffic and the SES.
For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
EARLIER:
WORKERS were removing pontoons from the Macquarie River as water levels were rising on Wednesday evening.
The workers from the Dubbo City Council Parks and Landcare department said the river was at 2.97m and their contingency plan was to remove pontoons at 3.3m.
They expected the river to reach 5.5m in the night and 8m by the middle of Thursday.
One pontoon behind the Riverdale shopping centre was removed by crane and a second near the Wiradjuri Park was taken out with an excavator.
The workers said the Emile Serisier Bridge would be closed if water levels reached the expected 8m level.
The Tamworth Street foot bridge was closed.