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Forbes floodwaters rise faster than forecast as NSW premier warns little rain needed to spark floods — as it happened

Heavy rainfall predictions prompt warnings in New South Wales, as the state's premier asks people to follow evacuation orders.

Key events

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Live updates

By Jessica Riga

Where to find emergency assistance and information:

We're going to close our live blog here, but here's where to find emergency assistance and information:
Listen to ABC Local Radio for regular updates:

By Jessica Riga

Eugowra has been hit hard

ABC reporter Xanthe Georgory is on the ground and says almost everything has been destroyed.

By Jessica Riga

Inside a home in Eugowra

ABC reporter Xanthe Gregory from our NSW Central West bureau took this photo of the inside of a home in Eugowra.

She says it's "one of the good ones."

By Jessica Riga

More than one hundred flood warnings remain in place across NSW

More than one hundred flood warnings remain place across New South Wales as in land commmunities continue to battle floodwaters.

The State Emergency Service says it's received more than 900 calls for help and conducted more than 200 flood rescues over the past 24 hours.

Forbes, in the state's central west, was evacuated this morning with the Lachlan River expected to exceed major flood levels.

SES Commissioner, Carlene York, says people in flood-affected areas should register their location online with the Red Cross to make sure their loved ones know where they are.

"It's really important if you haven't gone to an evacuation centre but you have left your home, that you register on that site — Register. Find. Reunite — so that we aren't sending resources out to search for you when you're safe and well at other premises."

By Jessica Riga

Key Event

Forbes 'flat out' as historic flood peak looms

Reporting by Penny Burfitt

Jamie Loomes runs a fuel and grocery store on higher ground in the north of Forbes and has not had to evacuate.

The weather bureau has predicted the Lachlan River could reach a record height of 10.8m this afternoon.

It has remained steady around 10.65m for most of the day after it surged by a metre within hours early this morning.

Mr Loomes said the town is feeling "nervous" and "exhausted" as the historic flood peak looms.

He said since the evacuation warnings came on Monday, the town has been buzzing with people preparing or evacuating.

"We’re flat out because everyone in town is stocking up on supplies," he said.

"Since yesterday in town it’s just been like ants going around everywhere - everyone’s going somewhere."

But since the Lachlan River broke its banks and isolated the Forbes CBD this morning, Mr Loomes said things have slowed down.

"The traffic here was unbelievable but as soon as they cut the town the traffic slowed down," he said.

Mr Loomes said another major flooding event less than two weeks after the last was a blow to residents, but meant they were more prepared than last time.

"We’ve had a couple of days' notice and having that practice run two weeks ago has helped," he said.

By Jessica Riga

Condobolin residents prepare for major flooding to last over 48 hours

Condobolin residents are preparing for major flooding to last for at least the next two days.

Euroka Gilbert bought his house on the banks of the Lachlan River in East Condobolin less than 12 months ago, knowing the flood risk.

He says he's done everything he can to protect his house, but the water levels are much higher than expected.

"We've emptied everything out of the house, all the valuables are up at another house well above the flood line so it's just watch and wait. No one's seen anything like it, not this high. This is extraordinary".

By Jessica Riga

Conditions easing but communities remain on high alert

Weather conditions are easing across New South Wales, but several communities along the Lachlan River are remaining on high alert for flooding.

Forbes, in the state's central west, was evacuated this morning as the river rose quicker than expected.

State Emergency Service Commissioner, Carlene York, says the town could see its highest flood levels in 70 years.

"Our attention now is now the Lachlan River with a number of creeks and catchments flowing into that," she says.

"That will seriously affect Forbes to what they saw two weeks ago. So it's currently 10.6 but we're expecting it to get to that record level of 10.8."

By Jessica Riga

In pictures: More flood damage in Wellington

By Jessica Riga

In pictures: Wellington erosion seen from above

By Jessica Riga

'I'm so saddened for everyone': Some thoughts from our readers

I am so saddened for everyone in the floods, I wish you all my love and thoughts to you all. — Rozanne 

God. This is the worst. When is it going to end? — Natty

By Shiloh Payne

Key Event

Newell Highway reopened for certain vehicles

 Newell Highway has reopened to heavy vehicles and local residents in 4WDs and SUVs, but remains closed to light vehicles between Forest Rd and Saleyards Rd due to water on the road.

It's one of the busiest freight roads in the country, and has remained closed for much of the day despite the concentrated efforts of authorities to have it reopened.

Major road closures include sections of the Kamilaroi Highway, Castlereagh Highway, and Gwydir Highway.

By Emily Sakzewski

Wellington erosion after 'angry' river goes 'backwards'

A sheer cliff face has appeared overnight in Wellington, where flood waters have torn into the riverbank near the Duke of Wellington Bridge, eroding it within hours.

Wellington resident Dianne McGlinn said the Bell River was flowing so ferociously on Monday that it overpowered the Macquarie River.

"The Macquarie was actually moving backwards because of the force coming through from the Bell River. It was incredible," Ms McGlinn said.

"It's funny when you see a river go backwards. It's not normal."

She said locals had seen snakes floating down the river alongside assorted flotsam and jetsam from people's properties.

Retired Wellington SES officer Steven Robinson said he has seen the river get wild in his time, but never flooding quite as fierce as Monday night.

Mr Robinson said the swirling eddies created an almighty roaring sound which could be heard reverberating around town.

"When she's angry she roars," Mr Robinson said.

Dubbo Regional Council general manager Murray Wood said the riverbank had been eroding gradually over the decades, however the recent floods had wiped out about 30 to 40 metres of riverbank all at once due to the sheer force.

He said council now faces a "tough" decision as to what to do with the low-lying bridge, and what to replace it with.

In the meantime nearby residents will need to take an alternative route through the main street.

Reporting by Kenji Sato in Wellington

By Shiloh Payne

Gas reconnected after previous flood damaged pipeline

Almost all residents in the central tablelands and northern rivers regions have had their gas reconnected after floodwaters cut supply.

Thousands of homes and businesses in Oberon, Wallerawang and Lithgow were left without gas due to a flood-damaged pipeline near Bathurst last month.

Jemena Gas today confirmed that most customers in Lithgow and all customers in Oberon and Wallerang have now been reconnected.

By Emily Sakzewski

This family were forced to improvise with a makeshift bridge

Jenna Roots and her family have perhaps one of the most unique commutes in New South Wales at the moment, after flooding washed away the only access route off their farm.

In late October, up to 100mm of rain fell at Adelong, in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, washing away a private bridge the Roots family uses to get on and off their property.

But the family's neighbours came to the rescue, donating two wooden power poles and some rubber mesh to construct a makeshift bridge.

Read more from ABC Riverina's Melinda Hayter and Sally Bryant here...

By Shiloh Payne

Watch: Communities in Central West NSW battered by major flooding

Major flooding has devastated communities in Central West New South Wales.

Communities in Central West NSW are battered by major flooding

By Emily Sakzewski

Snowvember in Tasmania

Last week’s glimpse of summer is long gone, as snow hit the ground in Tasmania overnight.

The latest round of storms in the state has been followed by decidedly icy conditions as southerly air streams up in its wake.

Reporting by weather reporter Kate Doyle

By Shiloh Payne

Relief personnel from New Zealand have arrived

A dozen relief personnel from New Zealand have arrived to assist in flood relief efforts.

By Shiloh Payne

Rivers are swelling after a wet weekend

After a relatively quiet week, these renewed river rises are the result of the band of rain and storms which swept through over the weekend.

The highest total over the week to Monday was at Mount Hotham, Vic with 204mm. But the highest daily total was at Forbes, NSW with 118mm in the 24 hours to 9am Monday.

Rainfall eased for most in the 24 hours to 9am Tuesday but with so much water already in the system rivers continue to rise.

Reporting by weather reporter Kate Doyle

By Peta Fuller

Eugowra residents saved from rooftops as town sees unprecedented flooding

Eugowra residents saved from rooftops as town sees unprecedented flooding

The SES says Eugowra has now had flooding in places that have never seen it before.

But there have been some amazing stories of survival — out of a town of 700, around 150 were rescued, many plucked from their rooftops.

This gives you some idea of the conditions the town is facing:

By Emily Sakzewski

The Cowra Bridge is closed

Access across Cowra is currently cut off due to major flooding after the Cowra Bridge was closed last night.

Council closed the bridge, which is the town's only road across the Lachlan River, after access roads on the west of town were inundated by floodwaters.

Several businesses in low-lying areas were flooded by fast-rising floodwaters, and with waters now receding owners are out surveying the damage.

Reporting by Penny Burfitt in Cowra

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