NSW floods: Wisemans Ferry Bowling Club braces for July flood

An eerie calm permeated Wisemans Ferry Bowling Club as locals wait to see if the flood levels along the Hawkesbury River would rise above the levels in March.

A surprising sense of calm was expressed by those congregating at Wisemans Ferry Bowling Club on Monday morning as they questioned whether the rising floodwaters would wreak the same damage as they experienced earlier this year.

In an almost empty club, licensee Margaret (“Margie”) Pratt hit the phones and explained to all it was still a waiting game.

“We’re waiting for the troops to arrive,” Ms Pratt said, referring to the SES and army members who would soon help sandbag the club and transform it into an evacuation staging centre.

Both Ms Pratt and long-time Wisemans Ferry resident Barry Roberts expressed uncertainty at how the floods would pan out but remained in seemingly high spirits.

The rain came and went on Monday morning — at times falling heavily and at times stopping entirely – with the levels still nowhere near as high as they were this March.

Barry Roberts and Margaret Pratt standing on the bowling club’s deck. Picture: Odessa Blain

Just after midday SES and army workers arrived at the bowling club. Picture: Odessa Blain.

Earlier this year, a team of volunteers helped pack care packages and supplies for those affected by the floods.

During the March 2020 flood, an elderly volunteer Noelene Hitchcock said the packing operation at the club was “full on”.

Barry Roberts helping during the flooding in March. Picture: Margie Pratt

The damage to the bowling club from the March floods. Picture: Margie Pratt.

There were several community groups, including the Sikh community and Uniting Church, which contributed edible donations.

But the bowling club also wasn’t spared from the flood’s wreckage — with the bowling greens submerged and the building hit with water damage.

Currently, across the Hills Shire, there are several evacuation orders in place.

These areas include 257-454 Mud Hill Rd, Sackville North; 118-238 and 115-257 Pages Wharf Rd, Sackville North; 562-624B and 555-715, Tizzana Rd, Sackville; Riverside Caravan Park, Cattai; 1573-1591 and 1558 River Rd, Lower Portland; Cliftonville Lodge Resort, Lower Portland

Due to the flood risk, Castle Hill Showground is yet again opened to evacuated horses, livestock and domestic animals.

The Hills Shire Council has also closed several roads due to flooding. These roads include Pitt Town Rd at Cataract Creek, Blue Gum Rd at Annangrove, McClymonts Rd at Maraylya, Cattai Ridge Rd at Maraylya, Wisemans Ferry Rd at Cattai.

More updates to come.