Narrandera braces for major flooding with a possible peak of 8.2m

Roads across the Riverina remain closed including the sections of the Sturt Highway, west of Wagga. Photo: Deb Myers (Facebook).

As the Murrumbidgee River flood peak makes its way downstream, roads and highways have been closed and many Narrandera residents have been forced to leave their homes.

After moderate flooding and a lower-than-expected peak at Wagga last week SES resources were relocated downstream where Narrandera was bracing for the big river.

Hundreds of residents in parts of Narrandera South and South West evacuated over the weekend and the river level rose steadily through Monday towards a possible major flooding peak of 8.20 metres on Tuesday afternoon.

Locals turned out in force as Narrandera and Leeton SES put out the call for ‘Spontaneous Volunteers’ to take up a shovel and help to prepare sandbags for those affected.

Locals got to work filling sandbags as the river rose over the weekend. Photo: Narrandera SES.

The Sturt Highway from Wagga Wagga to Darlington Point remains closed as does the Newell Highway between Narrandera and Jerilderie.

Further north, parts of the Cobb Highway and the Kidman Way have been impacted.

Darlington Point is experiencing minor flooding with moderate flooding of around 7 metres likely on Friday and there are fears that Hay could experience major flooding in the days ahead.

Police are searching for 63-year-old Phillip Alvaro. Photo: NSW Police

The search for 63-year-old Hilston man Phillip Alvaro has been temporarily suspended as floodwaters continue to rise in the region.

A search and rescue operation began on Wednesday when Mr Alvaro failed to return to a property on Hilston’s Lachlan Valley Way.

Local police were joined by PolAir and Police Rescue, SES volunteers and paramedics from NSW Ambulance.

You can stay up to date with the latest on the Narrandera SES Facebook page here and you can keep an eye on the river heights here.

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500.

In life-threatening situations, call triple zero (000) immediately.