Residents of Condobolin in NSW’s Central West are preparing for historic flooding, with the Lachlan River expected to reach a peak of 7.6 metres in the town on Thursday morning.
On Wednesday, the river was at 7.42 metres, which is already the worst flood on record.
Local SES crews have been building a wall of sandbags nicknamed the "Great Wall of Condo" to prevent floodwater from entering the town and cutting it in half.
Residents were told emergency service volunteers were unable to supply sandbags to individual homes, diverting them instead to building the barrier.
One body found, search for missing man to resume
Police believe a body found in floodwaters at Eugowra in central western NSW is missing 60-year-old woman Dianne Smith.
The Eugowra local last spoke to a relative from a car around 9:30am on Monday.
The search for 85-year-old Ljubisa "Les" Vugec, who is also believed to be missing in floodwaters, was suspended on Wednesday night and is due to resume Thursday morning.
Police said they had serious concerns for his welfare, as his family had not been able to reach him since the area was hit by flash flooding.
Anyone with information about Mr Vugec should contact NSW Police.
Forbes braces for flood peak
An evacuation order has been extended to more parts of Forbes in the state's Central West, as properties start being inundated by major flooding.
The Lachlan River is currently at 10.68 metres in the town, and is expected to reach a record height of 10.8m on Thursday morning.
Fourteen people were rescued from a pub roof in Forbes overnight on Wednesday, as the town braced for its highest flood level in 70 years.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has been in Forbes to see the flood response and said federal support would be available.
"We're working very closely with the NSW government," he said.
"Obviously the NSW government is the lead tier of government in terms of declaring what level of support is required here, that's in terms of whatever payments are available."
With the flood peak yet to arrive, Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller estimated two-thirds of the town was already inundated.
A team from Fire Emergency New Zealand has touched down to provide relief to exhausted SES crews who have been dealing with flooding in the Forbes district for months.
It is the largest flood emergency response in the state's history.
Fire and Rescue New Zealand assistant commander Gareth Hughes said 12 personnel arrived in Parkes on Tuesday.
"We're here to alleviate some of the weary people who have worked so hard over the past year to try to support their communities," he said.
"[I've] personally not seen anything on this scale. It is amazing to see."
Hundreds of people and more than 1,000 properties are covered by an evacuation order for the town issued early Tuesday morning after flash flooding caused the river to rise more quickly than expected.
Great Wall of Condobolin
Further west, Condobolin residents are preparing for historic flooding with the Lachlan River expected to reach a peak of 7.6 metres in the town.
The river is currently at 7.42 metres, which is already the worst flood on record.
Local SES crews are building a wall of sandbags nicknamed the "Great Wall of Condo" to prevent floodwater from entering the town and cutting it in half.
Residents are being told emergency service volunteers are unable to supply sandbags to individual homes, diverting them instead to building the barrier.
Health workers ferried to hospital
As Forbes braced for the flood's peak, the town's mayor said it was already the worst flood disaster she had ever witnessed.
"Two-thirds of the town has some form of inundation," Cr Miller said.
"I've never seen a flood like this in my lifetime … it's really hard on the people that have just experienced it two weeks ago."
The SES was transferring critical health workers to the hospital via boat, who would otherwise be cut off.
"We have to catch a boat to work where we normally drive and it takes probably about 10 minutes to get there through town," pathology worker Anne McColl said.
Her colleague Jennifer Squires said she was "quite over it".
"I'm getting a bit emotional," Ms Squires said.
"But we're doing a lot better than Eugowra."
Animals rescued from floodwater
Emergency authorities have been forced to swim into floodwaters to rescue an animal.
Matthew Hendo from the SES said he and his crew travelled via boat to Barwon Street in Forbes after reports of half a dozen goats and a horse in need of help.
"The goats were up on pallets in someone's backyard so it took us about 20 minutes to get them into the boat," he said.
"Then the lead broke on the horse and it bolted and took off into high water, so we had to swim out to get it."
All animals were then secured in an SES boat and moved to higher ground before being checked over by a vet.
The makeshift ferry point at which they arrived has also been used to transfer people and supplies across the divided town.
Town of Hay bracing for floods
Meanwhile, residents of Hay in the western Riverina are bracing as water makes its way down the Murrumbidgee River.
The river has reached 9.1 metres and is rising, the highest level since 1974.
Hay Shire Mayor Carol Oataway said the community was helping to check for levee breaches and prepare.
"Local businesses have been donating food, locals have been donating food and cooking barbecues for the volunteers," Ms Oataway said.
The small township of Maude, west of Hay, was "totally isolated" after an emergency warning was issued there on Tuesday.
"As of yesterday there was no phone or power [in Maude], but the residents are safe," Ms Oataway said.
