A welcome deluge across the Narrabri Shire

Heavy rainfall across most of the district has brought a lift in confidence and optimism.

The widespread rain has seen many areas receive more than 100mm in recent days.

The Narrabri Weather’s Wee Waa site measured 168mm, 130 was recorded at Narrabri and 137 at Bellata.

The rain has brightened prospects for winter crops and opened up an optimistic mood for the beginning of a return to business, more or less, as normal.

But as always, more rain is needed.

In Narrabri, the rain brought sightseers out to see the local flooding and extraordinary scenes at Doctor’s Creek.

Drew and Mandy Chappel’s Wee Waa Road business SprayerBarn is close to the Narrabri Creek banks section which was severely eroded on the weekend as Doctor’s Creek water roared into the Narrabri Creek. Crew said the water had eroded an area up to eight metres wide by about 30 metres long. Large trees, including the one above, were undercut and swept away. The impacted area is Crown land and Drew is hoping the authorities will provide remedial action to protect or batter the bank Drew and Mandy Chappel’s Wee Waa Road business SprayerBarn is close to the Narrabri Creek banks section which was severely eroded on the weekend as Doctor’s Creek water roared into the Narrabri Creek. Crew said the water had eroded an area up to eight metres wide by about 30 metres long. Large trees, including the one above, were undercut and swept away. The impacted area is Crown land and Drew is hoping the authorities will provide remedial action to protect or batter the bank

Eloise Chaplain smiling after the rain with 10-month-old daughter Pippa, they received about 140 millimetres at ‘Belmont’ on Nowley Road. Thank you to Eloise’s Mum Annie McMahon for sharing this adorable photo. Eloise Chaplain smiling after the rain with 10-month-old daughter Pippa, they received about 140 millimetres at ‘Belmont’ on Nowley Road. Thank you to Eloise’s Mum Annie McMahon for sharing this adorable photo.

Ross McClure was among the many who went along to see the water raging down Doctor’s Creek on Saturday afternoon. Ross McClure was among the many who went along to see the water raging down Doctor’s Creek on Saturday afternoon.

Narrabri Fire and Rescue crews at work in Doyle Street. (Photo supplied). Narrabri Fire and Rescue crews at work in Doyle Street. (Photo supplied).

This aerial shot of the weekend’s local inundation was supplied by Tom Puts. It shows the flooded railway station in the top left and the intersection of Doyle and Reid Streets bottom right. This aerial shot of the weekend’s local inundation was supplied by Tom Puts. It shows the flooded railway station in the top left and the intersection of Doyle and Reid Streets bottom right.

Narrabri Fire and Rescue members have been busy cleaning out flood damaged houses. Above, Luke Morgan, Tim Courtland and Shane Bradford. Narrabri Fire and Rescue members have been busy cleaning out flood damaged houses. Above, Luke Morgan, Tim Courtland and Shane Bradford.

Lara and Theresa Alexander were among the interested spectators at the Doctor’s Creek torrent on Saturday. Lara and Theresa Alexander were among the interested spectators at the Doctor’s Creek torrent on Saturday.

The storms water reached up to the corner of Nandewar and Killarney Streets where Jasmin, Maddison and Jacob Barwick and Jacob Sampson were among the interested onlookers. The storms water reached up to the corner of Nandewar and Killarney Streets where Jasmin, Maddison and Jacob Barwick and Jacob Sampson were among the interested onlookers.

Lila and Evie McManus watched the water from a safe distance up the bank. Large slabs of the creek bank had been washed away. Lila and Evie McManus watched the water from a safe distance up the bank. Large slabs of the creek bank had been washed away.

Two-year-old Dougie Harris with his brother four-year-old Angus playing in the puddles of rain at ‘Balmoral’ Burren Junction where about 100 mm has fallen. Thank you to the boys’ Mum Alice Harris for sharing this great photo. Two-year-old Dougie Harris with his brother four-year-old Angus playing in the puddles of rain at ‘Balmoral’ Burren Junction where about 100 mm has fallen. Thank you to the boys’ Mum Alice Harris for sharing this great photo.

Penny Jobling and Jenny Campbell joined spectators at the Doctor’s Creek-Narrabri Creek junction. Penny Jobling and Jenny Campbell joined spectators at the Doctor’s Creek-Narrabri Creek junction.

Josh Orman with Rory and Hailee inspect the newly flowing Narrabri Creek at the low level bridge. (Photo supplied). Josh Orman with Rory and Hailee inspect the newly flowing Narrabri Creek at the low level bridge. (Photo supplied).

A photo taken at 8pm on Sunday in Hogan Street looking towards the Narrabri RSL Club - clouds roll in ahead of more overnight rain. A photo taken at 8pm on Sunday in Hogan Street looking towards the Narrabri RSL Club - clouds roll in ahead of more overnight rain.

Interested spectators watch the dramatic scene as fast flowing torrents of water roar down Doctor’s Creek to drop several metres into the much lower Narrabri Creek, tearing out trees and eroding the banks. Interested spectators watch the dramatic scene as fast flowing torrents of water roar down Doctor’s Creek to drop several metres into the much lower Narrabri Creek, tearing out trees and eroding the banks.

A vast expanse of water feeds into Doctor’s Creek. Pictured taken at Namoi Street. A vast expanse of water feeds into Doctor’s Creek. Pictured taken at Namoi Street.

Moviegoers at Saturday’s Flickerfest short film festival emerged from the cinema on Saturday evening to find a water frontage at The Crossing Theatre. Moviegoers at Saturday’s Flickerfest short film festival emerged from the cinema on Saturday evening to find a water frontage at The Crossing Theatre.

A new Horsearm Creek bridge is in the planning stages and it will be a timely construction when it’s built. The weekend’s flooding from Horsearm Creek engulfed the existing timber bridge - the debris on the approaches reveals the water reached the decking height. An observer of the Horsearm-Mulgate floods in that area said he had never seen the local water reach that height. A new Horsearm Creek bridge is in the planning stages and it will be a timely construction when it’s built. The weekend’s flooding from Horsearm Creek engulfed the existing timber bridge - the debris on the approaches reveals the water reached the decking height. An observer of the Horsearm-Mulgate floods in that area said he had never seen the local water reach that height.

The huge downpour feeding into Horsearm and Doctor’s Creek catchments, and from Mulgate to a much lesser extent, brought with it a phenomenon which drew hundreds of spectators to the junction of Doctor’s Creek and the Narrabri Creek.

As water by the megalitre roared down Doctor’s Creek and into the Narrabri Creek on Saturday afternoon, the Narrabri Creek began to flow again – backwards.

The water pouring in from the Horsearm catchment dropped about two metres as it came into the lower Narrabri Creek, creating a maelstrom, tearing out trees and carving off large sections of creek bank.

“This is a rare event where we get a big flow from the local catchment into a very low Narrabri Creek and that’s when damage occurs,” commented Narrabri water engineer and member of the Narrabri Flood Committee, Jim Purcell.

“Typically Narrabri Creek has a higher water level when we get our rains locally, so if Narrabri Creek had been high the Horsearm water would have gone into it like a bathtub, raising the level slowly and backing up into the basin behind Francis Street, with no erosion or damage, just a slow increase in the level.”

On Saturday and Sunday, a stream of spectators gathered at Doctors Creek downstream of the bridge to gaze at the flooded creek roaring through, tearing down large sections of creek banks and collapsing trees to be swept downstream.

The Courier photographer saw a kangaroo making its way across the flat below the bridge to plunge into the torrent and disappear.

Groups of residents gathered at the end of flooded roads, kids splashed in the shallows and scenes reminiscent of Narrabri floods drew spectators.

The Narrabri town water supply’s Killarney Street bore was breeched by the Doctor’s Creek water, the Shire council reported, with council staff flushing the network.

“Council has had all available resources since Saturday attending to the flushing of the Narrabri town water supply. Narrabri Fire and Rescue have also been assisting.

“A ‘boil water’ notice is still in place,” the council advised.

“It is envisaged the boil water notice will stay in place until approximately Tuesday.

“Residents are encouraged to check their outdoor taps.

“Those still experiencing dirty water are urged to contact Council’s emergency after hours number on 0429 911 111.”