7 November 2022

'Return with caution' for Wagga residents with warnings that more storms could trigger flash floods

| Chris Roe
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Wagga Floods

An aerial view from above North Wagga on the weekend. Photo: NSW SES.

A sunny weekend and a slightly lower-than-expected peak have brought some relief to Wagga’s waterlogged locals, with the Murrumbidgee River falling below the moderate flood level (9.00 metres) on Sunday.

Access to North Wagga was restored, residents began returning home and the SES and Wagga City Council are out assessing the damage to a small number of properties outside the levee that have been impacted.

SES Public Information Officer Scott McLennan said the river continues to fall after peaking on Friday at the major flood level of 9.72.

“In North Wagga, they have been issued a return with caution, also in East Wagga, the Big 4 Caravan Park and Gumly Gumly,”

“We’re now working very closely with communities further downstream with Narrandera next in line for that flood water.”

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Major flooding is now occurring along the Murrumbidgee at Narrandera with a peak of around 8.70 metres expected on Tuesday.

“We do know that there are currently 16 properties isolated at Narrandera,” said Mr McLennan.

“There were two probably at least two properties that were damaged from the last flood, so they’ll be the same properties that are affected again this week I’m afraid.”

Residents concerned that their properties may be impacted can collect sandbags from the VRA Shed on Irrigation Way with a handy QR code system in place to keep track.

sand bags

Sandbag collection point at Narrandera. Photo: NSW SES.

With thunderstorms expected this afternoon, Mr McLennan warned residents across the Riverina to remain alert to changing conditions.

“There are some storm cells forming over the southern part of the state, so where those rains fall, given how wet it is, there will be flash flooding and that’s a guarantee,” he said.

“I can’t tell you where exactly that rain will fall, so just because the road was safe today, or it was safe yesterday, doesn’t mean it’ll be safe tomorrow.”

You can stay up to date with the latest alerts on the Hazard Watch page here, 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.

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