Water-logged residents are being urged to batten down the hatches and prepare for up to 100mm of heavy rain during the next few days.
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Bureau of Meteorology predictions for the central western slopes and plains come as a 140-year-old rainfall record was broken in Dubbo when 70mm was dumped on the city in the first two days of December.
The rain follows the wettest spring in NSW since 1900. The automatic weather station at Dubbo airport recorded a total of 144mm for the month of November, 53.2 in October and 51.8mm in September.
The bureau is predicting wetter than normal conditions to continue well into the new year, with a 55 per cent chance of exceeding median rainfall in central western NSW.
Dubbo’s December rainfall average of 54.1mm was broken at the start of the week and more rain is predicted to fall until Wednesday or Thursday.
The State Emergency Service continues to receive requests for assistance from across western NSW, with most of the calls for help from residents of the Central West and Macquarie SES regions.
Flood warnings are in place for the Macquarie, Castlereagh, Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, Paroo, Belubula, Hastings, Peel and Namoi rivers.
Coonamble continues to be a main focus for SES officials. An evacuation warning for the town was suspended on Thursday when a predicted Castlereagh River peak of 5.4 metres was revised downwards to 5.2 metres.
The river had been expected to peak on Friday. Uncertainty remains about water inflow from local creeks but the SES continues to monitor the situation.
Minor to moderate flooding continues along the Bell River and high inflows from the Talbragar River and Coolbaggie Creek were expected to result in moderate flooding at Narromine on Friday and major flooding at Warren on Sunday. Flood levels similar to the November 2000 flood are expected.
NSW Police has opened a public information inquiry centre to take calls about flood-affected areas in the central west. The number for the centre is 1800 227 228. The line will take general inquiries regarding evacuations and road closures.
Many roads are closed and motorists are advised to contact their local council. Information on state roads, including major highways, can be obtained through the RTA on 131 700 or by visiting http://livetraffic.rta.nsw.gov.au/
Motorists and pedestrians are advised not to drive, ride or walk through floodwaters. Rural property owners have been advised to relocate livestock and farm equipment, including pumps, equipment, feed and chemicals, to high ground.
FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.nsw.gov.au. For emergency assistance call the SES on 132 500.