Forbes flooding: 100 evacuated but hope rises amid Forbes chaos

Residents in the NSW Central West have been given hope that major flood waters forecast to hit the town this afternoon are now expected to be lower than the destructive 2016 peak.

The flood warning for the central west town of Forbes has been revised, with major flood waters forecast to hit the town this afternoon expected to be lower than the destructive 2016 peak.

The Bureau of Meteorology this morning advised that while major floods are still expected to hit the town, the Lachlan River is unlikely to hit the 10.65 metre level initially predicted.

“River levels have continued to slowly rise along the Lachlan River at Forbes Iron Bridge where river levels are likely to peak near the major flood level today,” the bureau said in a statement.

Forbes locals woke to the rising flood waters at the iron bridge on the city outskirts. Picture: Gary Ramage

“This is just below the September 2016 flood level. Major flooding is also likely at Cottons Weir later today and at Jemalong on Thursday.”

Roads in low-lying areas of the town remain closed while the NSW SES remains on standby to help.

About 100 residents were evacuated from their low-lying homes on Tuesday as the Lachlan River sat at 10.40m on Wednesday morning and continued to rise.

NSW SES acting zone commander Barry Griffiths warned residents not to get complacent despite the peak of the flood being delayed.

“This is a slow moving flood … but it has also exceeded forecast heights (upstream of Forbes),” he said on Wednesday morning.

An evacuation order has been authorised and is now in place for low lying areas of Forbes.

Residents in low-lying areas of Forbes are being told to leave their homes. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

Flooding at Gooloogong. Picture: Chris Watson Farmpix Photography

Water levels are expected to peak in Forbes on Wednesday. Picture: Gary Ramage

“My warning is don’t be complacent, it can still reach and exceed forecasted heights.”

He said the SES was now “watching and waiting” ahead of the planned peak later today.

Volunteers have filled more than 25,000 sandbags in the last 24 hours, with homes and businesses throughout Forbes reinforcing front doors and garages in anticipation of rising flood waters.

The Lachlan River hit 10.35m at Forbes overnight, below the 10.55m major flood level which is now expected to hit Wednesday afternoon.

Attention is now expected to head downstream from Forbes to the town of Bedgerabong as flood waters continue to move down the river.

Forbes’ Bathurst Street, which backs onto the Lachlan River, was covered by rising waters on Wednesday morning, while road closures are in place on Reymond Street and the Escort Way road which connects Forbes to Eugowra.

Farmer David Earl and his wife Susan inspect the water level across a road just south of their property outside of Forbes. Picture: Gary Ramage

The Lachlan River flooded at Forbes after excess water was released from Wyangala Dam. Picture: Farmpix Photography

An evacuation centre has been set up at St Andrews Presbyterian Church, 11 Harold Street, Forbes.

Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller in an update on Wednesday said the town should “know what our fate is” tomorrow.

She said thick vegetation along the Lachlan River had helped slow the onslaught of water moving downstream from Nanami.

“Nanami did peak at 12.5m so we are just waiting and hoping for the very best when it gets to Iron Bridge (at Forbes),” she said.

“By tomorrow we’ll know what our fate is with this slow moving water.”

Thousands of Forbes residents have been ordered to evacuate. Picture: Gary Ramage

Water levels have risen south of Forbes, NSW. Picture: Gary Ramage

AFFECTED STREETS IN FORBES:

South of Bathurst Street: River Road, Church Street, College Road, Wambat Street, Stacey Street, Stokes Street, Reymond Street, Lachlan Valley Way, Koala Place, Wandary Lane, Muscat Street, and Claret Street

East of Ooma Street/Ferry Street: Blackwood Lane, Lower Bathurst Street, Cargo Lane, Ferry Street, Bathurst Street, Riflerange Road, The Escort Way, Twogood Lane, and Ooma Street

Between Lake Forbes and Ooma Street: Herbert Street, Hill Street, Clarke Street, Bridge Street, Bandon Street, Ferry Street, Flint Street, and Barwin Street

North Forbes and the CBD: Lachlan Street, Sherriff Street, Templar Street, Sir Frances Forbes Drive, Cross Street, Camp Street, Browne Street, Spring Street, Rankin Street, Lawler Street, Riley Street, Lower Rankin Street, and Clear Street

North East of Forbes Railway: Landacre Road, Jones Street, Sam Street (southern end of Doc Street), and Parkes Road

North of Newell Highway: Farrand Street, Press Street, Dowling Lane, Renfree Street, Farnell Street (southern end), Bedgerabong Road, Windsor Street, and Clarence Street

West Forbes (West of Wambat Street): Wambat Street, Berkley Street, Bathurst Street, Warrul Road, Newell Highway, River Road, Show Street, Marcia Street, Elizabeth Street, Linda Street, Thelma Street, Hilda Street, Forrester Street, Junction Street, Racecourse Road, Lynette Street, Young Street, Margaret Street, Oxford Street, and Mona Street