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TUESDAY 3PM: SES Incident Controller Greg Murphy has addressed the public from Wagga beach. 2.30PM: The SES is reporting that Murrumbidgee Irrigation is looking into the Barren Box Swamp, north-west of Griffith, exceeding its capacity from water coming in from Mirrool Creek. The SES advises residents living in low-lying areas in the area should be prepared for flooding. 10.20AM: The Murrumbidgee reached its peak height of 6.97 metres – below the minor flood level – at Wagga this morning, according to the latest press release from the SES. Predicted river heights Narrandera: Peak close to minor flood level at 6.7m on Friday. Darlington Point: Peak close to minor flood level at 5.5m on Monday. Carrathool: Remain below minor flood level. Hay: Remain below the minor flood level. Latest river heights Murrumbidgee R at Mt Macdonald 2.03m falling (7.15am Tuesday) Tumut R at Tumut 0.55m falling (8am Tuesday) Murrumbidgee R at Gundagai 5.04m steady (8.30am Tuesday) Murrumbidgee R at Eringoarrah 6.14m steady (8am Tuesday) Murrumbidgee R at Wagga Wagga 6.9m falling (8.30am Tuesday) Murrumbidgee R at Narrandera 6.19m rising (8.30am Tuesday) Murrumbidgee R Gogeldrie Weir 5.24m steady (7.45am Tuesday) Murrumbidgee R at Darlington Point 4.53m rising (7.45am Tuesday) Murrumbidgee R at Carrathool 3.58m rising (8am Tuesday) Murrumbidgee R D/S Hay Weir 4.86m steady (7.45am Tuesday) Murrumbidgee R D/S Maude Weir 4.85m steady (8am Tuesday) Murrumbidgee R at Redbank Weir 5.66m steady (7.45am Tuesday) Murrumbidgee R D/S Balranald Weir 5.25m steady (8am Tuesday) 8.55AM: Murrumbidgee River at Wagga is steady at close to seven metres – just below the minor flood level, according to the SES. MONDAY 4.40PM: The latest information from the Bureau of Meteorology has revised the peak river height in Wagga to 7.3 metres, which is expected to come tonight. Latest river heights Murrumbidgee R at Mt Macdonald 2.31m falling (10am Monday) Tumut R at Tumut 0.6m steady (4pm Monday) Murrumbidgee R at Gundagai 4.93m steady (4pm Monday) Murrumbidgee R at Eringoarrah 6.71m steady (4pm Monday) Murrumbidgee R at Wagga Wagga 6.89m steady (4pm Monday) Murrumbidgee R at Narrandera 5.81m steady (4pm Monday) Murrumbidgee R Gogeldrie Weir 4.88m rising (3.45pm Monday) Murrumbidgee R at Darlington Point 4.18m steady (4pm Monday) Murrumbidgee R at Carrathool 3.61m steady (4pm Monday) Murrumbidgee R D/S Hay Weir 4.89m steady (3.45pm Monday) Murrumbidgee R D/S Maude Weir 4.85m steady (3pm Monday) Murrumbidgee R at Redbank Weir 5.66m steady (3.45pm Monday) Murrumbidgee R D/S Balranald Weir 5.23m steady (4pm Monday) Source: BOM What residents can expect at certain river heights Wagga 7.20m – Gumly Gumly Island (GR 440150), located on the northern bank of the river opposite the rivers confluence with Kyeamba Creek, is isolated. 7.30m – The Mundowy (Collingullie-Coolamon) Road is normally closed at the Beavers Creek Bridge near Collingullie by the time this reading is reached. This removes access between the Sturt Highway and the Old Narrandera Road. At this stage of flooding alternative routes across the Murrumbidgee are normally available via Wagga or Narrandera. 7.32m – River Road (running off the Old Narrandera Road) will be cut at various points. Several properties located to the south of River Road may be isolated. Narranderra 6.85m – Floodwater, which has broken out of the Murrumbidgee into Poisoned Water Holes Creek, causes it to rise and begin to cover the Newell Highway about 2km south of its western intersection with the Sturt Highway. At this height the highway is normally "Open with Caution". Darlington Point 5.50m – Inundation of rural floodplains is likely. Source: SES 4PM: Thanks to significant sandbagging over the weekend, floodwaters have been prevented from entering properties in Beckham, Ardlethan and Gainmain. Local SES have reported that most flooding precautions are still in place, in preparation for the wet weather predicted this weekend. 3.15PM: URANQUINTY COMMUNITY RALLIES IN FACE OF FLOODING Uranquinty Progress Association president Deb Bewick said herself and other members of the village’s safety committee spent their weekend door knocking elderly residents, and sand bagging homes at risk of flooding. The flooding of two Uranquinty homes had to be sandbagged with the owners stranded inside because the floodwaters had risen so quickly. “Two houses were basically cut of by the situation at the weekend, and neither of those homes could get their cars out,” she said. “We brought them sandbags and helped them set them up.” 12.30PM: Update on road closures: Road closures due to flooding: Prices Road off Gap Road Boiling Down Rd The Rock Rd off Churches Plain Road Tambourine Road Rodham's Road Rocky Falls Road Dennis Crossing Road River Road - Estella Clarendon Road Shepherds Siding Road at Downside Yarragundry Road Wiradjuri Reserve Siselys Road (due to River Road closure) Water over road at the following locations: Livingstone Gully Rd - open Kohlhagens Reserve - open Source: Wagga City Council • Urana Lockhart Road is open - still water over causeways and motorists to proceed with caution • Kywong Road at Boree Creek - open • Tootool Mittagong Road at Tootool - closed • The Rock Mangoplah Road at The Rock open - still water over causeways and motorists to proceed with caution • Semmens Road The Rock - open • Wattles Lane, Lockhart - open • Lockhart Boree Creek Road - open • Western Road is open but proceed with caution • Yuluma Road is open - still water over causeways and motorists to proceed with caution Source: Lockhart Shire Council The Gap Road - from Green Lane to Strontian Road Kangaroo Plains Road - from Donaldson Road to Strontian Road Mannings Road - Dows Road to Centenary Road Nortons Road from Back Morundah Road to the Newell Highway - Narrandera Jenkins Road from Back Morundah Road to Devlins Bridge Road - Narrandera Canola Way - Grong Grong to Matong Federal Park Rd - Grong Grong To Bicentennial Rd Pamandi Rd - Canola Way to Cowabbie Rd Grong Grong River Rd - Canola Way to Old Wagga Rd Holloway Rd - Mirrool Rd to Bunganbil Rd Angle Rd - Windamere Rd to Federal Park Rd Brobenah Hall Rd - Colinroobie Road to Burley Griffin Way Middle Road - Colinroobie Road to Burley Griffin Way Old Wagga Road - Ridgeview Road to Grong Grong River Road Kamarah Road - there is some water across the roadway, however the roadway remains open. Source: Narrandera Shire Council CLOSED ROADS Urana Road between Walbundrie and Rand (the road will be closed at Walbundrie and Rand) Back Walbundrie Rand Road (the road will be closed at Walbundrie and Rand) Four Corners Road, near Rand Brooklyn Road closed near Billabong Creek Triggs Road Kings Bridge Road Burma Road- Due to Lake Hume being over 90 per cent capacity, Burma Road is now closed to all traffic at the Bowna Creek/Lake Hume crossing until further notice. Source: Greater Hume Shire Council 10AM: The flood peak is now downstream of Eringoarrah Station and is expected to reach Wagga on Monday night, according to the SES. The revised peaks are now 7.4 metres at Wagga, 7m at Narrandera on Friday, and 6m at Darlington Point on Sunday with minor flooding at all sites. SUNDAY 6.30PM: The latest from the SES states the flood peak is now downstream of Gundagai and is expected to reach Wagga on Monday around 6pm. The Murrumbidgee is expected to reach close to 7.5 metres in height and will cause minor flooding. Areas that will be flooded include Oura beach and Wagga Beach Caravan Park. 4.40PM: Current road closures due to flooding: Prices Road off Gap Road Boiling Down Rd The Rock Rd off Churches Plain Road Cambourne Road Rodhams Road Rocky Falls Road Dennis Crossing Road River Road - Estella Clarendons Road Shepherds Siding Road at Downside Water over road at the following locations: Livingstone Gully Rd Kohlhagens Reserve 3.38PM: Cootamundra escapes the worst of the wet weather 2PM: The Bureau of Meteorology’s has revised flood peak prediction to 7.5m means Flowerdale is now not expected to become isolated from the rising river. The SES said river heights would still be very close to isolation level, and advised residents in the area to remain vigilant. The SES also confirmed the moving of cabins from the Wagga Beach Caravan Park to the carpark near the Visitor Information Centre has been completed. 1.15PM: WAGGA Beach Caravan Park is moving all 30 of its on site cabins to the carpark behind the visitor information centre. Park manager Maree Dobbin said it was now the fourth time that the cabins have been moved for flood fears, and electricity and gas were also being switched off for safety reasons. 12.50PM: Bureau of Meteorology has issued a minor flood warning for the Murrumbidgee downstream of Gundagai. 11.50AM: IT IS being reported that Burrinjuck Dam is spilling now. 11.30AM: THE Murrumbigee River is currently at 5.38 metres and expected to rise to 7.5 metres on Sunday night, SES Wagga have reported. SES volunteers door knocked Flowerdale residents on Sunday morning to advise it would be “highly likely” flooding would lead residents to be isolated for some time. Murrumbidgee SES Public Information Officer Jenni Funari said Wagga residents should still be on high alert as rain was still falling in areas such as Cootamundra. “People should be aware the river is still running,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be raining locally for it to flood.” Three flood rescues have also been reported since adverse weather began on Friday. An elderly couple had to be rescued from their car by paramedics on Saturday afternoon after attempting to drive through floodwaters in Lockhart. They became stranded in their car at around 1pm while driving on Urana Road. 11AM: SES Wagga has advised all campers in reserves along the Murrumbidgee River at Wagga Wagga are advised to move immediately. In the Murrumbidgee River valley downstream of Burrinjuck Dam, an average of 30mm of rain has fallen up until 9am Saturday and has since eased. This rain has caused river level rises in the upstream tributaries, and Minor flooding is expected to continue along the Murrumbidgee River. The flood peak is expected to reach #WaggaWagga late Sunday night. NSW SES volunteers have door-knocked visitors and residents at Wagga Beach Caravan Park on Saturday afternoon and are urging all people camped in other areas around Wagga to be mindful of how dangerous the situation could become. People are advised to pack up camp and move on to higher ground as soon as possible. Waiting until the last minute to leave may mean roads are congested or will already be flooded and you may need rescuing. Remaning in flooded areas is dangerous and may place your life at risk. SATURDAY 5.30 PM: CAMPERS at Wagga Beach are in the process of evacuating as SES volunteers take to the caravan park grounds to make them aware of the imminent danger. The volunteers door-knocked visitors and residents at the Wagga Beach Caravan Park and helped them gather their belongings and move to higher ground. "It is the amount of rain that has fallen in the river catchments upstream from Wagga which will be moving downstream over the next 24 hours,” SES Murrimbidgee Incident Controller Bernard Kates said. “(This) threatens people camping along the reserves. "It can be a misleading situation along the Murrumbidgee River around Wagga at the moment.” 4.15 PM: LAKE Albert is filling with dirt and waste as thousands of litres of storm water begins flowing into the cherished city landmark. Passer-by Gordon MacDonald said the sheer mass of polluted water running into the lake was "terrifying” and also contributing to rising water levels. “It’s flowing extremely fast,” he said. “We’re seeing thousands of litres of filthy water just endlessly running into the lake.” 3.30 PM: AFL RIVERINA has thanked the Ganmain fire brigade for ensuring today’s Riverina League semi-finals could go ahead despite overnight flooding. The Ganmain Sportsground was under water this morning, however the Ganmain fire brigade pumped the water off the ground. The first grade game between Wagga Tigers and Leeton-Whitton started at 2.30pm – only half-an-hour later than expected. Road closures remain an issue. The SES said the Canola Way east of Grong Grong is flooded, while there are reports of flooding near Ardlethan. Traffic from the west of Ganmain is being directed to travel via Wagga. Wagga road closures include The Rock Road off Churches Plain Road, Camborne Rd, Rodhams Rd and Livingstone Gully Rd. Green Street Bridge in Lockhart has been closed. 3.00 PM: AERIAL photos captured by Murrumbidgee SES have depicted the extent of flooding throughout parts of the Riverina. It comes as police and emergency services rushed to a scene between Urana and Lockhart where an elderly couple who drove through flood waters became trapped. The couple were safely rescued. 2.20 PM: WAGGA’S peak flooding is expected to occur late on Sunday as the SES issue warnings to a number of the city’s locations. Wagga Beach Caravan Park residents and campers at Oura Beach have been asked to evacuate with river levels expected to reach nearly 8 metres in the next nine hours. Low lying properties on the flood plain are also prone to inundation with SES officers asking that all livestock is removed immediately. ​ 1.20 PM: FEARS of a 9.1 metres Murrumbidgee River height have been quelled with rainfall easing throughout the day. Bureau of Meteorology predict that roads in North Wagga will likely remain accessible but minor flood warnings still remain in place for the Murrumbidgee at Wagga, Murrumbidgee at Gundagai and Billabong Creek downstream of Culcairn. Wagga's river levels are expected to rise to 7.3 metres. 12:55 PM: WESTPAC'S South Coast rescue helicopter (WRH) remains on 24-hour standby as heavy rains continue to flood the region. The crew received a call out shortly after midnight for a rescue, but were unable to attend due to low fog throughout the district. Pilots received a second call to help locate a missing man around 7am Saturday morning but was stood down before take-off because the man was located safe. "We're still ready to go at any moment and will be providing 24/7 operations for at least the next four days," WRH CEO Stephen Leahy said. Two helicopters from the NSW Rural Fire Service are also standing by at Wagga airport. 12.30 PM: POLICE reported a blackout in the CBD this morning at 10am, which caused a traffic light outage for 10 minutes. Duty inspector Peter Robertson said Wagga police have not responded to any flooding incidents. 12:00 PM: PHOTOS have emerged of Lockhart’s main street, which now resembles a lake. Council staff are on duty near The Rio in Green Street to monitor the situation and ensure it doesn’t worsen. Lockhart councillor Jim Morgan said that while a significant amount of water has accrued in the streets, it remains safe to residents and commuters. “There’s a bit of water but it seems to be going down so we aren’t too concerned about safety in Lockhart yet,” he said. 11.45 AM: A BUREAU of Meteorology spokesperson has confirmed that the region received around 32mm of rainfall in the Murrumbidgee catchment overnight. He told The Daily Advertiser that the river level currently sits at 4.1 metres in height near Gundagai as of 11am, and it is “continuing to rise”. 11:35 AM: OLYMPIC Highway has been re-opened to traffic between The Rock and Culcairn with SES on the scene to guide traffic and ensure the road is safe for use. 11.30 AM: WAGGA Highway Patrol’s top cop Wayne McLachlan has pleaded with motorists to avoid driving through floodwaters after another person was trapped in their vehicle. An elderly resident parked in a Jugiong camping site late last night to sleep off his fatigue when he awoke on Saturday morning to find his car submerged in water. SES managed to free the man from the vehicle after receiving a distress call around 10am this morning. “The poor bloke was just trying to pull up to have a rest and he woke up underwater,” Sgt McLachlan said. “We’re urging people not to drive through flood water under any circumstances.” 11.15 AM: THE BURRINJUCK Dam is nearing its maximum capacity. It is understood that the dam’s levels had surpassed 94 per cent as of 7am on Saturday morning. It comes after The Daily Advertiser reported that both of the Riverina’s dams were bursting at the seams after the spate of wild, wet weather. SES Unit Controller for Gundagai Ross Tout fears the flooding will escalate if the Burrinjuck Dam’s volume soon surpasses 100 per cent. “We haven’t needed to sandbag the town just yet, but the SES has sand ready for if, or when, the Burrinjuck Dam overflows,” he said. 11.00 AM: THE ROCK resident Ron Henderson speaks exclusively to The Daily Advertiser about the “carnage” the floods have already wreaked on the town. He said the conditions are already the worst he has seen since the notorious floods four years ago. “This is the worst flooding for The Rock since 2012. “The corner of the Olympic Highway and Mangoplah Road is completely under water. “People who live on the highway would have waves going into their houses.” Mr Henderson could only watch on late Friday evening as a neighbour’s home was washed out by the rising water levels. “​A bloke who lives right in front of the railway station started sandbagging his house last night but it was too late to protect his sheds,” he said. 10:45 AM: REPORTS of extreme weather conditions on the region’s highways as police call on motorists to severely limit their driving speed. It comes as emergency services frantically respond to a crash on the Olympic Highway. A car veered off the road near Culcairn where two people became trapped in metre deep flood waters. Fortunately both were rescued, but it came as a serious reminder to drivers. Aquaplaning on the highways that remain open has become a serious issue as Highway Patrol officers observe a number of desperate drivers swerving and losing control of their vehicles. 10.30 AM: FLOOD warnings have intensified for the Murrumbidgee River near Gundagai with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) anticipating its levels will rise to 6.1 metres in height by midnight tonight. Residents neighbouring the river have been advised to exercise extreme caution and keep regularly up to date with announcements from their local SES rescue teams and BOM. The following consequences will occur when the river level reaches these heights: 4.60 metres in height: The Morleys Creek anabranch begins to flow around this height. The Otway Street causeway across Morleys Creek onto Landon Street may be closed. 5.00 metres in height: The Tenandra (also known as Poley) Bridge located between Nangus and Wantabadgery at Mundarlo may be closed. (This is the only river crossing between Gundagai and Wagga and closure inconveniences rural residents and school buses needing to cross the river. Alternate routes are available but they add 60-70 kms to the normal journey.) 5.50 metres in height: Flooding of river flats upstream commences. 5.50 metres in height: Estimated overtopping level of the Sheridan Lane Causeway crossing Jones Creek. 5.79 metres in height:The small bridge over the Adelong Creek closes 1.5 km from its confuence with the Murrumbidgee. 10:00 AM: SPORTING fields across the district have been blanketed by rainfall with a number of clubs implementing delays on matches. Fire rescue teams are on scene at Ganmain Sportsground in attempts to pump out water from the drenched field. OVERNIGHT: SES MURRUMBIDGEE officers and volunteers received more than 35 calls throughout the region as floodwaters crept towards homes and local businesses. The majority of these call outs were for sandbagging, however, emergency services were called to one flood rescue. A resident who was trapped in his car and swept down a stream of flooding was saved by SES rescuers during the early hours of Saturday morning. “It was a fortunate outcome considering how run off our feet we were,” SES Deputy Controller John Gregory said. ‘It was fairly widespread. There was significant flooding in the Cootamundra town and out on the highway. Temora had some severe flooding throughout the area from storm water run-off.” CLOSED ROADS: Muttama Road Temora Street Goldfields Way from Temora to West Wyalong Olympic Highway Rock to Culcairn – Reopened as of 11.30am Newell Highway closed in multi Sturt Highway closed in multiple places Mangoplah Road

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