The Mitchell Highway has been closed between Orange and Wellington as the region continues to battle the aftermath of a record-breaking 24-hour period of rain.
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Rising flood waters have already severed the Great Western Highway, near Bathurst's Bunnings, and LiveTraffic has confirmed the Mitchell Highway heading north west is also shut.
The update says the highway is closed in both directions due to flooding at Apsley to Orange. There's a diversion available in both directions along Burrendong Way. However, LiveTraffic is urging everyone to delay non-essential travel due to the flooding across the Central West.
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The Gwydir Highway between Walgett and Collarenebri has reopened to four-wheel drives and heavy vehicles but remains closed to light vehicles.
Live traffic confirmed all four lanes of the Great Western Highway at Bathurst were closed due to the flood waters over the road near Stockland Drive.
The lower level bridge in Hereford Street remains closed, as water levels continue to peak. The water level is peaking at major flood levels at just under seven metres.
Despite rising water levels at Bathurst, the State Emergency Service (SES) has reassured the city that levee banks around the city will hold after fears they could be overcome by flooding.
At around 11.30am Monday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology put out an alert warning that levees could break following significant rainfall and flooding.
While the Macquarie River is expected to peak at seven metres, he said the bureau was misinformed about the risk to the levees and has since retracted its alert.
MAJOR ROAD CLOSURES:
In the central west:
- The Newell Highway is closed in both directions between Forbes and Parkes.
- The Newell Highway is also closed between Forbes and Wyalong, and between Jerilderie and Gillenbah.
- The Escort Way is closed between Forbes and Cudal.
- Henry Parkes Way is closed between Parkes and Manildra, and between Condobolin and Parkes.
- Lachlan Valley Way is closed in Forbes, as well as between Forbes and Jemalong, and between Gooloogong and Cowra.
- Lachlan Valley Way is also closed between Legh Street and Morongla Road at Cowra.
- Henry Lawson Way is closed between Forbes and Grenfell.
- Canowindra Road is closed at Canowindra.
- The Mid Western Highway is closed at Back Creek.
- The Mid Western Highway is also closed at Erigolia, east of Rankin Springs.
In the state's north and north west:
- The Kamilaroi Highway is closed between Cryon and Walgett, and between Walgett, Brewarrina and Bourke.
- The Castlereagh Highway is between the Gwydir Highway and Montkeila Street in Walgett.
- The Castlereagh Highway is closed between Nilma Road and Bate Street at Walgett.
- The Gwydir Highway is closed to light vehicles between Walgett and Collarenebri, and to all vehicles on the eastern side of Collarenebri.
- The Cobb Highway is closed between Wilcannia and Booligal.
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Jacinta Carroll
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
