ABOUT 10,000 Moree residents were isolated yesterday after the Mehi River peaked at 10.69 metres, flooding CBD businesses and cutting the town in two.
It is believed to be the highest river peak since February 1955, when State Emergency Service (SES) data shows the Mehi River peaked at 10.85m.
The scene at Moree was more like Venice than rural NSW, the Premier Barry O'Farrell said after having flown over the town to inspect the worst flooding there in 60 years.
The SES said Moree was likely to be cut off for at least 24 hours, and the floodwaters were unlikely to recede for days or even weeks.
"The bad news is they say that peak may stay in place for two to three days," Mr O'Farrell said.
The emergency continued into last night and late yesterday six people and a dog were rescued by helicopter from the roof of a snake infested shearing shed near the town.
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