Narrabri Shire is bracing itself for flood-related repairs as a result of the late-week deluge and subsequent heightened river and creek levels experienced at the end of last week and the weekend as well as this week.

The Thursday night downpour and continued rainfall into Friday pushed creeks above capacity, with an overflowing Horsearm Creek pushing water into the Narrabri Industrial Estate and residential areas in the vicinity of the creek.

Officially, the Bureau of Meteorology recorded 75 millimetres overnight Thursday and into Friday at its airport weather station, however, levels much higher were recorded across the shire. Data published on the Narrabri Shire Weather Station Network showed recordings much higher, particularly in the Bellata area.

The torrent of rainfall experienced across the North West forced the closure of the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Boggabilla.

Parts of the Kamilaroi Highway between Bourke and Gunnedah have also been closed.

In Narrabri, an emergency order was temporarily introduced and later lifted for the areas in the vicinity of Horsearm Creek, including the Narrabri Industrial Estate and residential streets located near the creek.

The rising Narrabri Creek has pushed water towards the RSL basement and into the Tibbereena Street caravan park and sporting fields.

An updated flood warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology on Monday morning said Narrabri Creek could reach 7.4 metres tomorrow, Tuesday, October 25.

The creek had already reached major flood level today and was 6.95 metres high as of 2pm.

Releases from Keepit Dam peaked overnight on Sunday, and this flow, combined with inflows from the Peel and Mooki Rivers, have caused major flooding at Gunnedah.

River levels at Gunnedah peaked at 8.47 metres around midnight Sunday evening.

Major flooding is expected to continue at Gunnedah until Wednesday.

There will also be ongoing major flooding at Wee Waa, and residents were warned to prepare to be isolated for up to 10 days.

All roads to Wee Waa are once again closed, and the town is safely protected by its levee, but there are impacts on local businesses, services such as the normal operation of schools and workers and visitors’ ability to travel in and out.

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said he had spoken to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to brief him of the magnitude of the situation, and he will keep him informed as this disaster unfolds.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler also toured the Narrabri and Wee Waa region on the weekend to assess the flood situation.

“There has been some substantial damage to crops and the extent of the damage will need to be assessed in the coming weeks,” Mr Butler said.

“I also want to congratulate the SES, council, and volunteers for their efforts during this continuing weather event and ask what more needs to be done by government,” he said.

“I have written to the NSW Premier asking for his personal attention to be turned to the disastrous condition of the roads, which will require extraordinary funding and intensive work to repair.

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