Heartbreaking scenes as major flooding devastates central west

It has been a tough week for many in the central west with heavy, widespread rain on Sunday night leading to dangerous flash flooding and leaving whole communities inundated by water.

On Sunday night and into the early hours of Monday morning, there were widespread falls of over 120mm of rain across the Central West, causing major flooding at Bathurst, Cowra, Canowindra, Eugowra, Molong and other surrounding communities.

A wall of water swept through Molong on Monday morning, devastating homes and main street businesses. An Australian Defence Force helicopter was brought in to assist with a number of rescues, including retrieving people trapped in flood water.

It took little time for the Belubula River to burst its banks at Canowindra, forcing a fast evacuation of low-lying residents. When the sun rose it showed the town’s main street covered by water.

There were heartbreaking scenes in Eugowra, where fast rising floodwaters engulfed the town, catching most residents off-guard. By Monday afternoon, NSW SES had 11 helicopters in the air and crews had responded to more than 140 flood rescues. They reported that one in five of Eugowra’s 779 residents had been rescued by either helicopter or boat, many from the roof of their home.

At Woodstock, NSW SES were called to assist six vehicles in flood water after a bridge washed away.

With the flood peak making its way down the street, Forbes residents were being ordered to evacuate by Tuesday morning.

Those in flood affected areas are also urged to register their movements using the Red Cross’ Register.Find.Reunite website – register.redcross.org.au

To stay up to date on all the last flood warnings visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au and www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings for severe weather warnings.