Hundreds flee floods in NSW

Herald file photo

Regional towns across New South Wales are bracing for the worst, as flood waters approach their predicted peak.

More than 1,500 people spent the night in alternative accommodation because of flooding.

In Wagga Wagga in the south-west, the Murrumbidgee River is expected to break a levee today affecting more than 700 people from the north and east of the city, as well as Gumly Gumly.

In Coonamble, more than 1,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in the east of the town, with the Castlereagh River expected to peak tonight.

A spokesman for the State Emergency Services (SES), Phil Campbell, says the Murrumbidgee River will reach its peak today.

"That particular peak is likely to be at around 10 metres and that will be sometime during the afternoon, is the best expectation from the Bureau of Meteorology at this time."

Police are appealing to drivers to delay all unnecessary travel, until the floodwaters subside.

Local diversions are in place, however the Sturt Highway between Wagga Wagga and Narrandera is expected to be closed for the next five days as a result of the slow moving flood waters in the Murrumbidgee River.

There are currently 13 flood warnings for rivers across New South Wales, and 11 shires have already been declared natural disaster zones.

Parts of Gundagai near Wagga remain underwater, and Phillip McMurray from the Gundagai Shire Council says the damage bill is likely to be in the millions.

"The town at the moment is completely underwater, all the flats between north and south Gundagai [are] inundated," he said.

"The water was backed up to the laneway backing on to the main street, all our golf course, caravan park are underwater, there's water I guess lapping on the edge of the town and basically we've got roads cut off all over the place."

Premier Kristina Keneally says she will visit the flooded region today with Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan.

Further rain is expected mid-week, which could keep residents from their homes for several days.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA