NSW:Floodwaters to hit NSW Wagga region

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2010
NSW:Floodwaters to hit NSW Wagga region

By Lema Samandar

SYDNEY, Dec 4 AAP - Rising floodwaters continue to threaten flood-hit residents who
have been issued evacuation orders in NSW's Wagga region.

Parts of NSW were declared disaster zones on Friday, with millions of dollars' worth
of damage being caused.

Natural disaster declarations have been made for the Weddin, Wellington, Warrumbungle,
Cootamundra, Coonamble, Harden, Gundagai, Dubbo, Cabonne and Young shires and the Mid
West Regional Council.

But the State Emergency Service (SES) says the Wagga area could become the worst affected
region with about 700 residents expected to suffer.

The Murrumbidgee River at Wagga Wagga is predicted to reach the major flood level of
9.6 metres overnight on Sunday night and 10 metres early on Monday.

This height will threaten the North Wagga Wagga levee.

An evacuation order has been issued by the SES for people in the affected areas of
Gumly Gumly, and at East and North Wagga Wagga.

SES spokesman Dave Owen warned of the danger of remaining in flooded areas and said
residents needed to be evacuated by midday on Sunday.

"The SES is directing all residents within North Wagga Wagga and surrounding areas
to immediately self-evacuate to the house of a friend or relative located on higher ground,"

Mr Owen said.

"Residents who are self-evacuating or staying with friends or relatives are asked to
register their details at the Wagga police station."

The Bureau of Meteorology issued flood warnings for swathes of the state's central
west as people in Eugowra and Dubbo were forced to flee their homes amid the havoc.

With more rain forecast for the remainder of Saturday, additional flooding is expected
in the Namoi, Castlereagh, Macquarie and Bogan river catchments.

Residents of the Poplar caravan park were being evacuated on Saturday after intense
localised rainfall in the Dubbo area.

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said at this stage he could not determine
what the damages bill would be but noted that in the last financial year the commonwealth's
contribution for natural disaster relief and recovery arrangements "was touching $1 billion".

The natural disaster relief and recovery arrangements include hardship and distress
payments for low-income earners.

It also includes low-interest loans for small businesses and primary producers of up to $130,000.

There are also concessional loans available for volunteer non-profit organisations
of up to $25,000, and road and rail freight subsidies of up to $15,000.

If anyone has any concerns or if they would like information on the financial assistance
that's being provided by the NSW and commonwealth governments they can call 1800 227 228.

AAP lxs/mp

KEYWORD: FLOODS NSW WRAP

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