Western NSW update

NSW SES is responding to ongoing flooding in Western NSW as floodwater from Queensland moves south.

We have a significant number of volunteers and pre-deployed assets in Western NSW, along with local volunteers actively supporting the community.

Community advice

Flooding is currently occurring on the Paroo, Warrego, Barwon and Darling Rivers.

Communities could be isolated for longer than six weeks in areas including Wanaaring, Hungerford, Yantabulla, Fords Bridge, Gumbalie, and Enngonia. Some roads are already impassable, impacting supply routes and limiting access to services.

NSW SES is assisting with resupplies for isolated communities over this prolonged flood.

For assistance during floods and storms call the NSW SES on 132 500 or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies.

Download the Hazards Near Me App for the latest warnings and information.
Check road and traffic conditions with Live Traffic NSW
For assistance with livestock management, please call the Agricultural and Animal Services hotline on: 1800 814 647
For free health advice 24/7, call Healthdirect at 1800 022 222. If you need support in another language, contact TIS National at 131 450 and ask for Healthdirect.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support, call 13 YARN - 13 92 76
For guidance on how to stay safe when cleaning up after a flood visit 'Clean up advice' page.

Resupply information

In the event of flooding or storms in Western NSW, the NSW SES is available to assist isolated residents with resupply of essential items like water, food, and medicines, and can do so by boat or aircraft if needed.

If you are isolated and require resupply of critical food and medical items, here’s where to start:

Call NSW SES on 132500 for a resupply request. The operator will give you a reference number to use for resupply orders.
Once you have the SES Reference number, contact your local outlet and place your order.
NSW SES will contact the outlet to arrange pickup and delivery of the order, which may be from boat, high clearance vehicle or helicopter.

Farmers and rural properties

If you are a primary producer and need assistance with livestock management, please call the Agricultural and Animal Services hotline on: 1800 814 647

Listen to advice from your Local Lands Services.
Move livestock to higher ground early and provide elevated feeding stations to keep feed dry.
Move chemical stores and hazardous materials to higher ground.
Cut or open fencing to allow animals to move if necessary.
Keep pets inside and ensure working animals (dogs, horses) are safe.
Store copies of insurance policies, property deeds and livestock records in a waterproof document holder.

What to do to prepare for flooding and isolation

Stock up on essential supplies including nonperishable foods (canned goods, UHT milk, dry foods, baby formula), water and medications.
Keep up to date with information by listening to ABC radio at 657 AM or 2WEB at 585 AM.
Download the Hazards Near Me app and follow us on social media @NSWSES
Prepare for power outages by keeping torches, extra batteries and a supply of non-electric lighting and heating options in an easily accessible location
It’s important to prepare your property for floods. Visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au/plan-andprepare/flood to learn more
Landholders are urged to move livestock, pumps and other assets to higher ground.
Keep your pets and companion animals close by for safety.
Never drive, walk, ride through, play or swim in floodwater. If it's flooded, forget it.

Power and Water

Some drinking water may become impacted and subjected to boil water notices. Contact your local water supply service provider.
Locate your utilities and learn how to turn off the mains supply for power, gas and water before an emergency. Power outages may occur as the weather unfolds.
For the latest updates on power, visit www.essentialenergy.com.au or call 13 20 80 to report faults or electrical emergencies.

The Walgett Shire Council is advising residents for Rowena Water Supply to boil water following high levels of E. coli. For more information visit: https://www.walgett.nsw.gov.au/News-Media/Boil-Water-Alert-Rowena-Water-Supply

How to make water safe:

Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute.
If you can’t boil water due to a power outage, add 2 drops (or 4 if water is cloudy) of unscented household bleach (containing 4%-5% available chlorine) per 1L of water, mix, and let sit for 30 minutes before use.

What to use boiled water for:

Drinking, food prep, washing uncooked food (e.g., salads, fruits), brushing teeth, and pets' water.
Avoid swallowing water while bathing and consider sponge baths for children.

Sandbag information

How to use sandbags

Wear gloves when handling sandbags.
Fill with sand to 2/3 full using a shovel. Take care when lifting heavy sandbags.
Place in alternating rows across doorways or gaps where floodwaters may enter your property

For more information, visit Using sandbags to protect your home page.

Local council details

Bourke Shire Council 02 6830 8000
Brewarrina Shire Council 02 6830 5100
Walgett Shire Council 02 6828 1399
NSW Aboriginal Land Council Western Zone 02 6885 7000

Evacuation Centres

Emergency checklists

Recovery information

Barwon-Darling Basin Landholders Information Session – Recording from 23 April 2025

Landholders along the Barwon-Darling Basin between Bourke and Menindee Lakes attended an online community information session hosted by NSW SES. The session provided an update on current conditions, forecasts, and the actions being undertaken by NSW SES in response.

Representatives from NSW SES and other relevant agencies were available to answer questions and offer guidance tailored to the local area, ensuring attendees received timely and location-specific information.

The recording is now available for those who couldn’t attend or would like to revisit the information shared.

Display date

Wed, 23/04/2025 - 12:00

Questions From The Barwon-Darling Basin Landholders Information Session

Question: Today’s update at 1pm said Bourke predicted to peak in 2 days at 10.30m, now just hours later you’re saying 11.20m. This is making it exceptionally hard for people downstream to know what’s going on.

Thank you, the information provided in the daily summary is drawn directly from the predictions provided by the Bureau of Meteorology. These predictions are subject to change. Information within the daily summary is accurate as of 0600 hrs daily and the changes you have noted occurred post distribution of the daily summary. The changes were reflected in the next day’s summary. For up to date warnings, please visit the Bureau of Meteorology New South Wales Warnings Summary page.

Question: Why do current predictions have Bourke peaking 2 days after Louth?

Bureau of Meteorology forecast as at 24 April – also reflected in HazardWatch:
Bourke: The Darling River at Bourke is currently at 10.06 metres and rising, above the minor flood level (9.50 m). The Darling River at Bourke may peak around 11.20 metres from about Tuesday April 29 to Saturday May 3, with minor flooding. This is close to the moderate flood level (11.40 m). Higher levels may be possible. This prolonged flood peak is expected to extend into the first week of May.

Louth: The Darling River at Louth is currently at 8.57 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (8.60 m). The Darling River at Louth is likely to exceed the minor flood level (8.60 m) Thursday. The river level may exceed the moderate flood level (10.00 m) during the first week of May and may reach around 10.90 metres from about Tuesday May 6 to Friday May 9, with moderate flooding. Higher levels are possible as upstream flows arrive. Peak predictions will be provided once a peak has been observed at Bourke.
Flood Warning - Barwon-Darling

Question: Why have measurements from Neilia Gaari disappeared from today’s SES update?

Apologies, this was an omission. This has been included in the daily summary (24 April) and will be included going forward. If the community is aware of other key locations to be included, please contact wtz.ops@ses.nsw.gov.au

Question: Could I request current predictions of heights to be published on SES far wests social media weekly? Might help reach more people and those that don’t check emails.

Thank you for this suggestion. We will do this going forward.

Question: Do you expect the Porters Crossing to become impassable?

Based on the current predicted height provided by the Bureau of Meteorology and on historical flood data it is likely that Porters Crossing will become impassable. NSW SES will continue to monitor. Please contact your local council for the latest road information.

Local Flood Insights

Explore NSW SES Local Flood Insights to make informed decisions about flood safety and preparedness. This information is useful to community members, travellers, or anyone wanting to learn more about local flooding.

This tool offers an overview of flood-prone areas, historic flood events, and modelled flood risks through detailed maps, data and community stories. This website-based platform combines flood inundation mapping, photos and personal accounts from local residents about the impacts of past floods and ways to prepare for future floods.

Darling River

Condamine - Culgoa River

Current NSW SES warnings

View real-time warnings for flood, severe weather and tsunami in NSW by downloading the Hazards Near Me App and setting your watch zones, or using the below HazardWatch map.

Download for iOS | Download for Android

Advice

An incident has started. Stay up to date as the situation changes.

Watch and Act

There is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family. NSW SES does not issue a Watch and Act level warning for tsunami.