More than three times the average October rainfall has already fallen in Narrandera this month with more than 100mm drenching Narrandera in the first three weeks of October.

The deluge has caused chaos with many roads being closed. Narrandera Shire Council mayor Neville Kschenka said the recent flooding around Narrandera was now slowly receding.

“Our two highways – the Sturt between Wagga and Darlington Point and the Newell, towards Jerilderie, were closed for much of the past week and are being monitored by the appropriate road authority, which will open (the roads) once deemed safe,” Councillor Kschenka said.

“Local road closures have also remained closed due to continuing rain, however we were fortunate not to have as much rain over the weekend as initially expected, providing some relief to residents and council.

“Council continues to monitor all areas of the flooding including overland water, while ensuring the Narrandera urban stormwater system is capable of removing any storm event without damage to properties on the town side.

“River flooding continues to affect people in the low lying areas and some businesses whose supplies come from Victoria have experienced delays.

“The recent rainfall over the catchment areas could result in increased river heights and continued and future road closures across the entire council area.

“People should not travel through closed roads or floodwaters.”

The Narrandera Volunteer Rescue Association has been busy helping the State Emergency Services with flooded areas around Narrandera in the past week, following the deluge which led to the Sturt Highway to Wagga and Darlington Point being closed.

The group mainly assists with general land rescue and motor vehicle accidents but over the weekend, volunteers were helping the SES in a supporting role with sandbagging and welfare checks on isolated properties in the area.

The situation is easing, however more rain is expected in the catchment area and more flooding could occur in areas already impacted.

NSW SES Incident Controller Ben Pickup gave an update on the flooding situation at Narrandera on Sunday.

“The Murrumbidgee River at Narrandera has peaked and continues to recede,” he said.

“We’ve seen a number of flood rescues in that area.

“While the river is receding there is still significant water impacting local roads.”

Mr Pickup encouraged the community to stay away from flood waters.

“It is dangerous and puts yourself, your family and the emergency services who come to rescue you at risk,” he said.

Last week NSW Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said large parts of the state, including the inland and west, faced a “difficult few days”.

She said emergency services had been preparing for a busy weekend.

“We are quite literally sandbagging the state,” Ms Cooke said last Saturday.

Twelve local government areas were added to NSW’s natural disaster declaration list, with people who live in Narrandera, Albury, Berrigan, Carrathool, Cobar, Federation, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Murray River, Murrumbidgee and Wagga now eligible to claim financial aid.

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 27 October 2022.