Lightning Ridge inundated with water today, 29 January, from a rainstorm that has blocked streets and flooded houses, prompting an SES response. 

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, 86.4 mm was recorded at Lightning Ridge, while 65.8 mm fell at Angledool Station, all before 5pm.

Some rural properties are reporting over 150mm in less than two hours. 

“I’ve lived here for 25 years and never seen rain like that,” said local Sharon Thompson. 

“I couldn’t see houses across the road because it was raining that heavy,” she said. 

It comes after the Bureau of Meteorology warned that ‘very dangerous thunderstorms’ could lead to life-threatening flash flooding, particularly around Burren Junction, Lightning Ridge, and Collarenebri. 

Based on one side of town, Ms Thompson said that water is ‘lapping from street to street’, with flood water blocking one side of town from the other. 



Water levels at the town's iconic bore bath. (Sharon Thompson)

While her house saw water inundate her verandah, Ms Thompson said her concern was for the safety and wellbeing of people in nearby mining camps. 

“We have people that just live with generators. With the rain we’ve had, there would be a lot of washouts.”

While the damage remains to be seen, in town, businesses have already been impacted. 

Earlier today, the local bowling club announced their closure due to flooding. It comes less than two years after storm damage tore off the roof of the local golf club. 

As a result of the rain, the SES has asked the community to attend the local SES shed to fill up their own sandbags if required, as crews are called out on jobs. 

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.