Update:
RIVER RISES could cause the Peel River to hit the minor flood level in Tamworth as early as this evening, the weather bureau has warned.
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A minor flood warning has been issued for the waterway and the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has warned further rises possible.
Rain and thunderstorms are forecast across the state into Friday and the rainfall could cause renewed flooding in the Peel and Namoi catchments.
Gunnedah is still experiencing moderate flooding and the town is only just starting to recover from parts of it being swamped with water in the past few days after a major flood swept through.
Wee Waa is being urged to brace for major flooding on Thursday and into the coming days as the Namoi River peak moves towards the community.
The Kamilaroi Highway has been closed to all traffic between Narrabri and Wee Waa due to flooding, as well as between Gunnedah and Boogabri.
The State Emergency Service (SES) has warned Wee Waa could become isolated for several days with the river expected to hit the major flood level of 6.7m on Thursday night.
Roads within about a 20-kilometre radius of the community are expected to be submerged, though the town itself should be protected.
People have been reminded to never drive or walk through floodwaters.
Call the SES for assistance on 132500 if needed, or call Triple Zero (000) in a life-threatening emergency.
Flood warnings and watches can be found here.
Flood preparation advice can be found here.
Road closures can be found here.
Earlier:
A FRESH flood watch has been issued for the Peel River catchment in Tamworth with even more rain expected to sweep into town today.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said the Peel River could experience minor to moderate flooding in the coming days and into the weekend due to the predicted wet weather.
"This rainfall may cause new and renewed flooding across NSW inland rivers ... many of which have been impacted by recent flooding," the BoM alert said.
Dams across the region are already full and spilling over and catchments have been saturated by rain over the past week.
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The weather bureau will upgrade the flood watch to an official warning if required.
Tamworth experienced a flood earlier this week, causing a large clean-up effort.
Several roads across the region remain closed and more have been shut to traffic after heavy rain overnight as council workers inspect routes.
Tamworth Regional Council advised that as at Thursday morning, the following roads were flooded:
- O'Briens Lane
- Tilmundra Road, Watsons Creek
- Kelsos Lane
- Bayliss Lane
- Higgins Street Low Level Crossing, Manilla
- William Street, Barraba
- Davidsons Lane
- Duck Under at Warral Road
- Burgmanns Lane
- Glen Barra Road, Halls Creek - 10km east of Halls Creek road, 2km from Glen Barra Station
Roads right across the Gunnedah shire remain closed, including the Kamilaroi Highway between Gunnedah and Tamworth.
The Oxley Highway between the towns was reopened on Wednesday afternoon.
The BoM has forecast rain every day in Tamworth until at least next Wednesday, and already more than 66mm of rain has fallen in the city since Monday.
The aftermath of a major flood is being revealed in Gunnedah this morning as water continues to inundate low-lying areas.
The Namoi River catchment could also see further river rises with the additional rain on the horizon.
The flood watch is in place for the Upper Macintyre near Inverell as well, as Copeton Dam spills over for the first time in nearly 10 years.
State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers are on call to assist and people should call 132500 for assistance.
Rural Fire Service (RFS) aircraft are in position in Tamworth, Forbes, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga in preparation for the wet weather.
Call Triple Zero (000) in a life-threatening emergency.
Flood warnings and watches can be found here.
Flood preparation advice can be found here.
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