FLOODWATERS engulfing Moree and surrounds could take days to drain away, authorities have warned.
About 17,000 people across NSW have been trapped by by floodwaters, including those in Moree affected by the the highest Mehi River peak since 1955.
The SES has received 1000 calls for help across the state in the past week and has rescued 31 people. On Saturday, the agency estimated 365 properties in north-west NSW had been impacted.
Dean Weiley, who lives in the middle of Moree's flooded district, chose to stay when the SES ordered people from their homes. He, his wife, three children and in-laws trusted their ''local knowledge'' as the floodwaters rose. But he still lost his car and very nearly the house. ''Another foot and it would have been it,'' he said.
The state government has declared 17 council areas natural disaster zones in the past week, including on the far north and mid-north coast.
Robyn Faber, the mayor of Narrabri, said this flood event was the most significant to hit her community in years.
''This is going to be the biggest impact of all the floods that we've had,'' she said.
''Everything's come to an absolute standstill.''
The floodwaters are now expected to head towards the Barwon River and isolate Walgett next week before moving towards Wilcannia and Bourke over the next two months.
"From the air it looks like an inland sea," NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said on visiting flood-stricken Moree on Friday.
"The town of Moree is inundated with water - so north Moree is not only cut off, but many of the properties there are flooded," he said after touring the town.
"As you fly over the centre of the town there are streets that look like canals that have more relevance to Venice than north-western NSW."
Click here for active flood warnings
Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner described the scene in Moree as “a mongrel flood with water converging on towns from more than one water system and seeing entire communities isolated and residents inundated".
“There will be an enormous recovery effort required for residents and farmers not only for their crops but infrastructure too,” he said.
“We dip our lids to the SES, council and everyone, especially the volunteers for all their work.
“The council has been working hand in glove with the authorities, making sure people are healthy and their welfare is taken care of.”
Mr O'Farrell said this unlocked a number of supportive schemes to assist with the cost of restoration and recovery under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements and the NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.
"These measures will help families, business owners and primary producers get back on their feet faster." he said.
“The emergency service personnel deployed to these areas have done an outstanding job helping communities who are in the thick of this weather system.”
Flood emergency devastates farmers
NSW Farmers President Fiona Simson said while she welcomed the announcement of the declaration of five further natural disaster areas (Tenterfield, Moree, Narrabri, Gwydir and Greater Taree Shire Council), she hoped the State Government would continue to back farmers and the community once the water has receded.
“This flood extends to landholders right across the northern part of the State, with areas on the coast and as far west as Brewarrina feeling the impacts of the heavy rain,” Ms Simson said.
“Many of these people were affected by the floods in late 2011. Since then they have seen continued rain and now this event has created a severe situation with impacts on the viability of farm businesses.
“The compounding affect is likely to cause disruption beyond the current season.”
Click here for more news: Two plucked to safety from Moree flood waters
GALLERY: Flooding in NSW
Who to contact
FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.nsw.gov.au
For emergency assistance please call the SES on 132 500.
For life threatening emergencies call 000.
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-With the SMH
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