Tamworth weather: emergency services frustrated with drivers who ignore warnings as March could be one of the wettest since 2013

Police, State Emergency Services (SES) and an ambulance were called to Wallamore Road in Tamworth at 6am on Monday to reports yet another driver had ignored the road closed sign and found themselves trapped.

When help arrived, the driver had managed to extricate the vehicle and had left the scene - wasting vital resources, Tamworth SES Superintendent Mitch Parker said.

"A person has driven around the road closed signs and the car got stuck in the pooling water and broke down," he said.

"We got called with police and ambulance and they had gotten out of there before emergency services arrived on scene - the police are chasing that one up.

"Primarily, the flood rescues we have seen over the last couple of months are due to acts of stupidity, Tamworth police are looking into it and there's a zero tolerance approach."

After the weekend's wet weather, the Warral - Duri Road at the duck under rail bridge, Wallamore Road, Burgmann's Lane and Warral Road at the crossing near Impala Estate remain closed.

Tamworth Regional Council said Davidsons Lane has reopened but there is some water on the road so drivers should proceed with care.

Burgmanns Lane is a known hot spot where drivers get caught, and the SES and council have installed gates and signs to stop people entering.

Mr Parker said that no matter how often people are warned they continue to put themselves at risk.

Read also:

"Even this morning you have police, ambulance and SES responding to the scene at 6am where if drivers abide by the rules it's all unnecessary," he said.

There were about 20 callouts across Tamworth, Gunnedah and Quirindi at the weekend mainly for leaking roofs and rainwater that had washed into properties.

Widespread rain was recorded at the weekend and the Peel River saw up to 40mm of rain.

At least 56mm fell at the Tamworth Airport station which brings the seven-day total to 106.4mm.

The city could be on track for its wettest March in eight years, if the current predictions of rain continue across the region. In 2013, 132.6mm fell, according to Bureau of Meteorology data.

There are more showers forecast from Wednesday onward with potential thunderstorms in the afternoons.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: