Clean-up efforts are beginning in the New South Wales town of Cootamundra after hundreds of residents were evacuated following a flash-flooding event overnight.
The Bureau of Meteorology said about 100 millimetres of rain has been recorded in the region over the past 24 hours, leading to significant river rises and flash flooding along Muttama Creek.
The State Emergency Service (SES) issued an emergency evacuation notice just after 9am (AEDT) for more than 880 properties along the creek.
It is the second time in five months that the town has been affected by flooding.
SES spokesperson Brett Koschel said the warning has since been downgraded to advice level, but emergency personnel were still urging caution for people around floodwaters.
He said the heavy rain saw Mattuma Creek go from 10 millimetres up to a peak of 2.65 metres.
"This was a very isolated storm that hit last night," Mr Koschel said.
"We’re just asking people to keep an eye on that weather forecast. Keep an eye on any potential rainfall in case that water comes back up again."
SES spokesperson Benjamin Pickup said further rain and thunderstorms were predicted for this afternoon but not at the same intensity as the storm that went through overnight.
"The rainfall totals are expected to be a lot less than what we [previously] experienced," he said.
Extent of damage assessed
This morning, several children were evacuated from a daycare centre as floodwaters approached the town.
Centre operator Jessica Roberts said staff had opened the doors at 7:30am and within 15 minutes floodwaters had reached the front door.
"I cannot believe it's happened again within five months. It's unbelievable," she said.
Ms Roberts said that flooring washed away in last year's floods had only been replaced just two weeks ago.
"Now it's all washed away," she said.
She said that luckily the main building had not been as badly impacted as last time.
Gutters overflow in heavy downpour
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council Mayor Charlie Sheahan said the overnight rain was unprecedented and unexpected.
"It wasn't really forecast," he said.
"I'd never heard rain as heavy as it. The gutters on the house just couldn't handle it. It was just pouring over."
In November, 400 properties in Cootamundra were evacuated after heavy rain saw the creek burst its banks and inundate parts of the CBD.
"Some of them haven't even got back into their houses from the previous flood, and they're impacted again," Mr Sheahan said.
The council's emergency management officer Matt Stubbs said the latest damage has been minimal.
"The most recent information was that we'd had one home that had water over the floor, and that's all we've heard about to date," he said.
Aged care home evacuated
The Cootamundra caravan park and an aged care home were evacuated this morning and an evacuation centre was established at the town's Ex-Serviceman's and Citizens Club.
The SES said while there were similarities to last year's flood, Jindalee Creek did not produce the same volume of inflows it did last November.
Mr Stubbs says while the evacuation centre is still open, only about six people have used it.
"We are reviewing the situation as it unfolds," he said.
"It is hoped that if the weather eases that might close."
Cootamundra MP and NSW Minister for Emergency Services Steph Cooke said she had been informed that a number of properties had been inundated.
She said it would be a difficult day for local residents, given how recent the last flood was.
"There are support services available and I would encourage people to reach out if you are struggling in that respect. It's completely understandable," Ms Cooke said.
A spokesperson for the SES said rapid damage assessment teams were likely to be in Cootamundra for the remainer of the afternoon.
