As water continues to surge across the Western Plains this week, Warren is the most recent to suffer the wrath of the Macquarie River with major flooding predicted this afternoon. 

With major flooding having already reached the Warren Weir, the River is expected to exceed the major flood level of 9.00 metres this afternoon at Warren Town. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says the river level may peak near 9.30 metres tonight and into Wednesday. 

Warren local Mark Hayden said that locals have begun to prepare for the flood event. 

“In Warren they’ve shut off all the gates to stop water going out back into the streets, because all the water drains from the streets into town,” Mr Hayden said. 

In preparation, the Warren Shire Council called out to residents for assistance, gathering as many tractors and pumps as possible to help stop flood waters from the river from inundating the town. 

With the shire having just secured funding to reinforce the levee bank, the maintenance comes at unfortunate timing for the community as new water threatens the project. 

“They’ve been working on building it up with rocks…hopefully the work isn’t damaged even more,” said Mr Hayden. 

The flooding at the weir saw trees being dragged with the water, something that Mr Hayden said has caused issues in the town in the past.

“Trees have been washing up and blocking rivers off and sometimes taking out people’s pumps,” Mr Hayden said. 

The recent flooding at Narromine has receded, with the Macquarie River measuring at a height 0f 7.30 metres and falling as of last night. 

Barwon River slowly but surely approaches

With the water seemingly coming from all angles, the Barwon River is rising across the Western Plains. Minor flooding is expected in Mungindi today before the rising water approaches Collarenebri, Walgett, Brewarrina, and Bourke later this week. 

More details on what that will look like will follow the minor flooding event in Mungindi.

The Central West Slopes and Plains has a 90 per cent showers in the North today, with a 70 per cent chance elsewhere. Walgett has already seen showers this morning, with 25.6 millimetres recorded in the last 24 hours up to 9 am this morning. 

Residents are urged not to drive, walk, or swim through flood waters. Most unsealed roads around the region remain closed. If you require rescuing, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, call NSW SES on 132 500.