Residents in parts of Narrandera South have been ordered to evacuate before 8pm on Saturday as moderate flooding threatens to close roads and escape routes.
The main flood peak passed through Wagga Wagga on Thursday and is now heading down the Murrumbidgee River.
The Bureau of Meteorology says it may reach around 8 metres at Narrandera on Sunday with moderate flooding.
Meanwhile, major flooding in Forbes has fallen to moderate levels, but evacuation orders remain in place with large parts of the CBD still inundated and aircraft dropping supplies to properties isolated by floodwaters.
Six evacuation orders are in place, affecting about 500 residents of the central-west NSW town, but hundreds chose not to leave on Friday as the Lachlan River rose.
Roads cut off
Diversions are in place for three major roads that have been cut off by floodwaters in and around Forbes.
Sheriff Street (Newell Highway) was closed in both directions between Cross Street and Dowling Street this morning.
Lachlan Valley Way, west of Forbes, and The Escort Way, east of Forbes, remain closed due to floodwaters, although local and rural roads remain open to allow access for motorists driving in and out of Forbes.
Across NSW, the State Emergency Service (SES) has received 213 calls for help and carried out seven flood rescues in the past 24 hours — the majority in the south and west.
"Across the whole region – the Lachlan, Murrumbidgee and Murray (river systems) – we've had just under 100 calls for assistance and five flood rescues," spokesman Scott McLennan said.
The flood rescues included people trapped in cars, animal rescues and medical evacuations.
Forbes river peaks at 10.56 metres
The Bureau of Meteorology said the Lachlan River at Forbes peaked at 10.56 metres on Friday night.
The peak is now approaching Cottons Weir, which is already experiencing major flooding.
There is also major flooding at Jemalong.
Aircraft were tasked by the SES to re-supply isolated properties and carry out welfare checks.
"Because floodwater is still high and because a number of properties are still cut off, it does actually require people to remain vigilant in those areas," Mr McLennan said.
Flooding a headache for farmers
Forbes farmer Murray Brown has moved his stock to higher ground but says the flooding will create issues over the coming months.
"By the time this water finishes there will be three months' of water running through the farm and even though it is an area that does get flooded, that's not normal," he said.
Mr Brown said the flooding would contaminate paddocks, forcing sheep into more crowded conditions, which could lead to management issues with parasites such as worms.
Search for missing man continues
Meanwhile, the search for missing man Phillip Alvaro, 63, continues.
Mr Alvaro left a rural property on Lachlan Valley Way at Hillston at midday on Tuesday.
Police said he told a friend he would return soon but he was reported missing several hours later.
The multi-agency ground and air search is focusing on the property and the Lachlan River.
Major flooding is occurring on the Murray River at Barham on the NSW-Victoria border, where flood levels are above 1993 and 2016 levels.
