The Edward River at Deniliquin was at 9.18m (2cm below major flood level) yesterday and rising by up to 10cm per day.
It is predicted to reach 9.6m at the end of this week with further rises possible, and an evacuation order has been issued for residents in the Davidson St area.
Extra panels are being put in place along the town flood levee system, and sandbagging is being undertaken in several areas in anticipating of inundation.
Watch and act warnings are also in place at Conargo and Wanganella, where the Billabong Creek is rising just as quickly.
At the time of going to print yesterday, the Billabong at Conargo was 4.59m and rising by up to 10cm a day.
At Wanganella the creek was at 4.58m yesterday and rising by up to 5cm a day.
Rural properties and roads surrounding Deniliquin have been inundated, including the Pretty Pine Rd which Edward River Council closed on Sunday.
Further along the Edward River at Moulamein, the community is being prepared to evacuate via the only remaining route out of town.
Residents are asked to leave by 2pm today.
“Moulamein is currently isolated - all access roads are currently closed,” the SES said in its evacuation alert.
“Pretty Pine Road is closed and compromised by floodwaters.
“There is one opportunity for the community to evacuate under escort.”
Residents are asked to meet at the Moulamein RFS Station in Turora St at 1pm today for escort to the evacuation centre.
“You should monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate so that you can safely evacuate when instructed to do so by SES,” the SES said.
“Wherever possible, you should prepare to stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements.
“If you are unable to find accommodation, an evacuation centre has been set up at the Deniliquin Sports & Entertainment Stadium.
“If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for New South Wales SES to rescue you.”
Residents in the Davidson St area are also warned that evacuation routes may become cut off if they do not leave before 10am tomorrow.
As well as Davidson St itself, the evacuation order extends to residents in Evans St, Fitznead St, Gibbs St, Herriott St, Hodgkins St, Jefferson St, Jones St, Lackington St, Morris St.
For those without suitable accommodation with friends, family or commercial providers, the stadium is available.
Again the SES warns anyone who does not evacuate may be left without power, water, and other essential services and that it may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you.
It further warns “buildings may not be able to withstand the impact of flood water”.
Edward River Council has said Pretty Pine Rd has been closed “for the foreseeable future” due to the deteriorating condition.
“Council has had crews working to repair the road, however it has continued to disintegrate and is now a public safety risk,” council said.
For the full list of road closures, please go to https://www.edwardriver.nsw.gov.au/.../2022.../Road-Closures.
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