An SES spokesman said this was a cause of “major frustration” and had placed the lives of volunteers at risk.

The high incidence of people just choosing to drive around road closed signs was a real concern.

It was also obvious members of the public were either not listening to the radio for warnings or ignoring them if they had heard them.

“I was in Gunnedah yesterday (Sunday) and there were a number of people who simply drove around the road closed signs,” he said.

“The reason people are told not to travel on roads or in causeways when it is flooding is because you are not able to see what is underneath.”

The Leader has been told of at least one incident during Friday night’s storm where a motorist apparently drove straight past a police car which had its lights flashing to warn traffic to halt.

That reportedly sparked a major rescue operation.

The SES said yesterday that while its volunteers were trained to deal with flood conditions, they risked their lives when they went to help people.

“It makes our job a lot easier if people listen to and heed the advice given on radio or through signs,” the spokesman said.

“All of the people rescued on the weekend entered the water deliberately.”

Trent Owen, a senior crewman with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, confirmed most of the incidents the service had been called to resulted from people disobeying council and SES warnings.

“The fact the SES capsized their boat (while trying to rescue a Dungowan farmer) highlights not only how dangerous it can be ... but the risks others are taking when they to attempt to help,” Mr Owen said.

Westpac conducted five transfers over the weekend.

The first was at 4.30am on Saturday when a 54-year-old grandmother had to be rescued from her vehicle (see separate story).

On Sunday two men in the Carroll area had to be helped by emergency services staff after their vehicle was dragged down a flooded causeway.