Moree's Main Bridge is now open to all traffic again.
The bridge over the Mehi River was closed for at 10am yesterday as authorities watched floodwaters rise.
Meanwhile Moree Plains Shire Council's David Aber has quashed rumoursof any release from Copeton Dam.
"Pleased be advised that there has not and will not be any releases from Copeton Dam. Any rumour about releases is absolute rubbish!," Mr Aber posted on the council's Facebook page.
The Mehi River at Moree peaked at 10.206m at 9.45pm last night and is now falling, causing major flooding.
This morning the Gwydir River at Yarraman Bridge was steady at 7.3m with major flooding.
River levels should start to fall later this evening.
River levels at Gravesend have fall below minor flood level. Moderate to major flooding will occur in the lower Gwydir Valley downstream of Moree and Yarraman Bridge during this week
Sunday evening update:
The State Emergency Service has issued an evacuation order for a number of streets in Moree.
As a result of the flood level predicted by the Bureau of Meteorology for Moree, the State Emergency Service is directing residents affected by flood water in all areas North of Iris Street including : Balo, Drummond, Calgorm, Brand, Queens, Boston and parts of Gwydir Streets, Chinaman’s Lane and Kamilaroi Drive are to evacuate immediately.
At 8pm Sunday night the Mehi River at Moree was 10.19 metres and slightly below the peak height of 10.20 metres recorded 15 minutes earlier.
SES incident controller Bob Evans issued the evacuation order at 6.45pm.
He said: "Do not delay your evacuation. The roads may be congested or closed. You could become trapped and need rescue. Remaining in flooded areas is dangerous and may place your life at risk."
You can choose to go to friends or relatives, alternatively temporary accommodation will be arranged in Moree.
An evacuation centre has been established at The Moree Town Hall, Balo street Moree.
As you evacuate you should:
- Take your important documents, mementos and photos;
- Take your spare clothing, medicines and personal hygiene supplies;
- If you are going to an evacuation centre you should take blankets and bedding if possible;
- If possible, check to see if your neighbours need help;
- Turn off the electricity and gas;
- Do not walk ride or drive through floodwater;
- Continue to listen to a local radio station for updates
For emergency assistance telephone the SES on 132500
SES web site: www.ses.nsw.gov.au
The main bridge over the Mehi River will be closed for 24 hours from 10am.
Sunday 10am road closures
Meanwhile hundreds of people on outlying properties in the Moree district have been cut-off by floodwaters.
The State Emergency Service expects they will remain isolated until Tuesday or Wednesday.
Hundreds of properties isolated
From Saturday: Rain has cleared from the valley since noon on Saturday but a major flood warning for the Mehi River at Moree is still active.
The Bureau of Meteorology also has issued a major flood warning for the Gwydir River at Gravesend.
At level of the Gwydir River at Bundarra peaked at 9.50 metres around 6.30pm this evening with moderate flooding.
At 10pm the Gwydir River at Pallamallawa had dropped slightly from an earlier peak of 10.44m recorded around 3.30pm today.
The river is expected to remain steady around this level until late tomorrow.
Read Saturday's 10.40pm SES update
Major flooding is current on the Mehi River at Moree where the river is expected to rise slowly to a peak of 10m tomorrow night.
At Gravesend the river peak near 14.6 metres is expected around 3am Sunday with major flooding.
At Pallamallawa the peak near 10.6m is likely about 3am Sunday with major flooding.
At Yarraman Bridge a peak of close to 7.45m on Sunday morning is expected, as is major flooding.
FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.nsw.gov.au
For emergency assistance please call the SES on 132 500.
Only for life-threatening emergencies call 000.
As a result of the predicted flood level of 9.5 metres tomorrow night, the State Emergency Service has recommended residents from a number of Moree streets prepare to evacuate within the next 24 hours.
The predicted height of 10 metres is slightly lower than that recorded in January 2001.
The affected areas are:
Heber, Warialda, Gosport, Morton, Oak Streets, Stonnington and Chinamans Lanes, Kamilaroi Drive, Orana, Drummond, Queen and Edward Streets.
Residents should monitor the situation and be prepared to evacuate when instructed to do so.
A flood evacuation order will be issued by the SES if evacuation is required.
You can choose to go to friends or relatives. Alternatively, evacuation centres will be established where you can obtain temporary accommodation and other help.
To prepare for possible evacuation you should:
- Raise belongings by placing them on tables, beds and benches. Put electrical items on top. You may be able to place light weight items in the roof space.
- Collect together medicines, personal and financial documents, mementos and photos
- If possible, check to see if your neighbours need help
- Make arrangements for care of pets or other animals, or take your pets with you when you evacuate
- Take three days’ supply of clothing and medicines
- Find out where to turn off the electricity and gas
- Continue to listen to a local radio station for updates
Don’t walk ride or drive through floodwaters as this is the main cause of death and injury during floods
For emergency assistance telephone the SES on 132 500
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