The Moulamein Club was packed as community members gathered on Monday to hear the flood advice from Murray River Council, SES and NSW Police. Murray River Council’s Director of Infrastructure, Jack Bond, spoke of the rapidly evolving situation the town faced.
“Since we started the last meeting last Monday, the prediction was 6.1m. By the time we left that meeting, the prediction was 6.2m and on Sunday morning, I believe it reached 6.099 metres which is now the highest we’ve ever seen,” said Mr Bond.
“We’re certainly into unprecedented levels.”
On Sunday, November 20, Moulamein residents received a ‘Prepare to Evacuate’ notice that was issued due to the risk of road closure, not town flooding. Currently, three of the five roads remain open into Moulamein.
Murray Irrigation has cut the Northern Channel downstream of the Barham Moulamein Road in an attempt to lower water impacting that road.
“While we are doing our best to try and get the roads open for everyone to have that access, they will be a battle for us and we don’t know how long we can keep that up,” said Mr Bond.
An SES spokesperson advised residents that those who wished to evacuate should attend the Moulamein RFS shed by 1pm Tuesday, November 22 for the 2pm evacuation. An escort would then lead the evacuees out of Moulamein via the Pretty Pine Road to Deniliquin. The evacuation centre will be open in Deniliquin for those who do not have alternative accommodation.
Residents should be aware that if roads are cut to Moulamein, they may not have access to medical or other services, and it may impact the availability of emergency services.
NSW Police advised the community that a 24-hour police presence will be on hand to protect properties evacuated.
Murray River Council has taken measures to protect town water and sewage systems to ensure they remain working during the forecast peak.
There are mixed emotions among locals; some wish to remain, others are considering evacuating.
“I’m refusing to go,” said Bec Gray, who owns a property on the Billabong Creek.
“We’ve moved all our horses out three days ago.
“We don’t know how high it’s going to get. I think my crops are done but I’d just like to save my house.
“But I don’t have much faith in that either.”
Colleen Wilson and husband Bill have been fuelling pumps around the clock to keep their house dry.
“There’s a #@$%ing lot of water,” said Colleen.
“It’s rising every day.
“It just keeps coming and coming.
“We’ve got six pumps under the side of our house trying to keep water from going further.
“We’re up every two hours filling pumps.
“Costs us $100 per day in pumps to keep the water out.
“It’s intense.”
Amy Lolicato said she’s keeping her options open.
“We’re definitely considering it (evacuating), but there’s also a bit of miscommunication or misinformation going around about roads.
“There was a notification that came up last night that all roads had been cut to Moulamein, but there are still four roads open at this point.
“We know the conditions of at least three of them and are comfortable we have another couple of days left.
“We’re getting stuff ready to go, but we also have the farms to look after.
“We need to make sure we can access the farms and stock, also getting supplies in as well.”
Updates will be on the Murray River Council Facebook page. For emergency help in flood or storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 24 November 2022.
