Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Note: This Flood Watch provides early advice of possible flooding within the specified catchments.
Initial Flood Watch for the NSW South West and Central West Catchments

Issued at 10:46 am EDT on Friday 5 February 2021

Flood Watch Number: 1

FLOODING POSSIBLE IN THE BELL, BELUBULA, TUMUT AND UPPER MURRAY RIVERS

A low pressure system is approaching New South Wales from the west. A trough sits over western parts of the state and will move east ahead of the approaching low and cold front. This low and front is expected to bring unsettled weather to the region for a number of days. Showers and thunderstorms are expected in the central, western and south eastern districts from Friday, possibly severe with locally heavy falls.

Catchments likely to be affected by flooding are moderately wet.

The weather system is expected to cause flooding for the catchments listed from Saturday and into Sunday. Flood Classes (minor, moderate, major) are only defined for catchments where the Bureau provides a flood warning service.

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Orange, Molong and Bell River
minor flooding

Belubula River
minor flooding

Tumut River
minor to moderate flooding

Murrumbidgee River to Wagga Wagga
minor flooding

Mirrool Creek
minor flooding

Upper Murray and Mitta Mitta Rivers
minor to moderate flooding

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/

For the latest rainfall and weather forecasts see www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/

For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood
Flood Safety Advice:

This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and streams must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop.

Flood Warnings will be issued if Minor Flood Level is expected to be exceeded at key sites along the main rivers for which the Bureau of Meteorology provides a flood warning service.

Severe Weather Warnings will be issued or updated if very heavy rain is forecast or observed.

For more information on the Flood Watch Service: http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.nsw.gov.au

For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500

For life threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately

Rainfall and River Conditions Map