Floodwater is beginning to recede in Gwabegar after inundating 10 houses, but it's just the beginning of flood events across the Western Plains.

Following the flash flooding that rose from the Baradine Creek and across Gwabegar, SES units from Gilgandra, Coonamble and Baradine have been out and about in the community to offer assistance.

According to SES Community Capability Officer for the NSW Western Zone David Rankine, Sunday night’s flooding was near impossible to predict as, among the many rivers and creeks in the Pilliga region are unmonitored.

“Baradine creek which Gwabegar sits on is unengaged by the BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) so there’s no official electronic river gauge where we can get an idea of what water is in that system,” Mr Rankine said. 

With 10 houses affected by the flooding – some filling with up to a metre of water – the Gwabegar community hall has been converted into an evacuation shelter centre for residents to seek refuge in. 

Mr Rankine said that one of the biggest frustrations for SES crews in recent days has been people requesting assistance after being stuck in the flood waters of a closed road. 

*The Pilliga to Coonamble Road looks set to be closed for some time with water over 1 metre deep in places.

“Recently someone in Tambar Springs made the stupid decision to ignore a road closed sign and drove through flood waters where he got caught and needed rescuing,” Mr Rankine said.  

“When councils close roads they close them for a particular reason. It’s extraordinarily frustrating from our perspective when community members choose to ignore that and drive through flood water,” he said.

Around the region, flood waters are expected to continue to fluctuate as the water continues its path. 

With the Namoi River about to peak at a major food level and spread throughout Narrabri and Wee Waa, Mr Rankine says the water will soon make its way down to Walgett and into the Barwon. 

Communities further west on the Barwon such as Brewarrina can expect to see that floodwater as Christmas approaches. 

“What we’re seeing fall this week will have some long-term ramifications across the Western Plains and the Northwest community as that water makes its way to the Menindee Lakes in January and February.”

“It’ll be a long summer from that perspective, with a lot of full rivers and dams. The nature of the La Nina system at the moment is bringing regular fronts where we can expect regular flooding events right across NSW,” Mr Rankine said. 

The Castlereagh’s flood warning at Mendooran has passed, with the water set to bring minor flooding to Gilgandra today, and Gulargambone and Coonamble later in the week. 

While the flooding isn’t expected to have an impact on those towns, landholders have been warned to move stock to higher ground and to move pumps and irrigation equipment from the river. 

According to BOM, most of the rain predicted later this week will fall further South towards Condobolin and into the Riverina region. 

Streets in Baradine have reopened following yesterday’s closures, although the unpredictability of the Baradine Creek still poses a threat as momentum builds from water running off from the Warrumbungle Mountain ranges. 

If you are in need of assistance from flood waters, call the SES on 132 500.