City evacuated due to record flood risk
Evacuations in and around Menindee, near Broken Hill, are underway as the western NSW town braces for what is expected to be its worst flood ever.
Flooding in the Darling River may reach 10.7 meters in the city Saturday, surpassing the highest flood level recorded in the city – 10.47 meters in 1976.
In early 2022, the water at the Menindee Lakes will rise.Credit:Nick Moir
People in the lower-lying areas of the community have been advised to disembark before 10am on Friday morning as roads are likely to be closed.
Among the volunteers helping sandbag homes are surf lifesavers from Bronte and Maroubra in Sydney, who are raising their hands to travel west to support SES operations over the New Year.
“I said, ‘You know all about sand, here are some sandbags,'” said an SES spokesman. “We are very grateful for the cooperation with other agencies. They’re in there lifting furniture.”
The SES said low-lying properties were flooding along Irrigation Road, McInnes Road, Budgie Street, Wilcannia-Menindee Road, Pooncarie Road, Little Menindee Creek Road, Pumpkin Point Road, Loop Road and Racecouse Road could be.
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People are being advised to relocate and stay with family or friends on higher ground or evacuate to the Menindee Community Center on Perry Street.
Once they reach the city, the flood waters are expected to last there for two weeks.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/menindee-evacuating-as-town-threatened-by-record-flood-20221230-p5c9ft.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_environment City evacuated due to record flood risk
