FLOODING rains are expected to drench Tamworth at the weekend, and emergency services are on standby as the "supercell" storm approaches.
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Tamworth State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers are at the ready, and have spent the past couple of days filling sandbags and creating incident management teams in preparation for a busy couple of days.
SES Superintendent Mitch Parker said local crews were working closely with other emergency services and the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) to keep up-to-date on changing conditions.
"The BoM is looking at some minor to moderate flooding in the Peel River and also some localised flash flooding from the supercell, it's really unpredictable," he warned.
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"SES units across the New England North West are preparing ... by going out and identifying local hotspots."
The BoM forecast shows a 95 per cent chance of up to 40mm of rain could be dumped on the city on Sunday, and the catchments are already soaking wet from the past few weeks of rain.
"We're asking people never to enter or drive through floodwater, it's not only a risk to themselves but also a risk of harm to emergency service workers," Superintendent Parker said.
"Keep property roofs and gutters in order and tie down debris like trampolines and children's play equipment, and tidy up branches around your house."
Superintendent Parker said he had been proud of the local SES team showing up and continuing to lend a hand amid a hectic storm season.
"The units have been working pretty consistently over the past couple of weeks so they are just constantly on the go and keeping up with maintenance as well," he said.
"The volunteers do a fantastic job and really enjoy helping the community so morale is really good."
The local service has seen a spike in people interested in volunteering, but could always use more.
Teams in Quirindi and Manilla are also on standby and depending where the supercell explodes, crews could be redeployed across the region to assist the hardest hit towns.
The SES can be reached on 132 500, but Triple Zero should be called in a life-threatening emergency.
Saturday is expected to be a bit more sunny, and the wet weather should clear up by Monday.
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