NSW flood crisis worsens as New Zealand reinforcements land in Sydney

Almost one in five Eugowra residents were rescued from rooftops amid NSW’s latest flood crisis with SES now in talks with Singapore and the US for additional flood support.

Flooding in Canowindra. Picture: Facebook

Flood rescue personnel from New Zealand were due to land in Sydney on Monday night to reinforce local crews battling the flood crisis that has swept throughout NSW.

More than 70 local government areas across the state have been declared disaster zones, as the floods enter their 62nd day.

After the NSW government reached out to New Zealand for additional support, 12 New Zealand flood rescue personnel were recruited and will de dispatched to Parkes on Tuesday.

State Emergency Minister Stephanie Cooke said the SES was also in talks with authorities in Singapore and the US to secure more support.

Floodwaters rose up streets and into properties at Canowindra before the Belubula River peaked at 5.9 metres on Monday morning. Picture: Facebook

Thousands of residents across parts of western NSW have been urged to evacuate while thousands more are trapped after torrential rain caused flash flooding.

Up to 120mm of rain lashed towns and river systems across central-west NSW over Sunday night, with further rain forecast over the coming days.

“The areas of concern are parks, Forbes, Eugowra, Molong, Cowra, Canowindra, Blayney – yes, many communities across the central west, the west and the southern parts of NSW,” Ms Cooke said.

“We have nine major flood warnings in place current across NSW. Of the 107 warnings currently in place, 16 are at emer­gency warning level, including at Canowindra, Derriwong and Cowra where residents have been urged to evacuate.”

Residents in Eugowra have been advised to seek higher ground and wait to be rescued by the SES after flash flooding over night made it unsafe to evacuate.

Mandagery Creek at Eugowra peaked at 9.7m on Monday afternoon, exceeding major flood levels. Lachlan River at Forbes is forecast to peak at 10.55m by Tuesday afternoon.