Photo shows grim threat facing Aussie town: 'Unprecedented'
Specialist flood rescue workers from Singapore are on the way to help with the NSW flood crisis as rural communities brace for more flooding amid warnings of historic river rises in the central west.
People in the town of Forbes are bracing for major flooding as the Lachlan River nears a predicted peak of 10.8 metres on Thursday morning, a similar level to the historic inundation of June 1952.
The town, which is copping its second inundation in as many weeks, is the focus of emergency services efforts ahead of days of predicted flooding.
Meanwhile, the body of a woman was recovered from floodwaters in Eugowra, west of Bathurst, on Wednesday.
The 60-year-old has been identified as Dianne Smith, who went missing from the town as it was devastated by a deluge of water that brought roof-high flash-flooding in the early hours of Monday.
Ljubisa "Les" Vugec, 85, last seen at his Eugowra home around the same time, is still missing.
Authorities conducted 284 property assessments at Eugowra on Wednesday and determined the majority of those buildings were damaged.
Residents described two sudden and intense surges of water, which washed away houses, knocked over structures and left destruction like a "war zone".
The State Emergency Service performed 12 flood rescues and handled 265 requests for help in the 24 hours until Thursday morning.
Across the state, authorities have issued 113 warnings and 23 evacuation orders, including for the central-western towns of Forbes and Gooloogong, Gunnedah in the northeast and the southern border town of Moama.
A photo shared by a local ABC journalist on Wednesday showed a "sea of sandbags" as the town of Forbes tries again to keep the water at bay.
A sea of sandbags prepared as Forbes braces for a flood level not seen in 70 years overnight. #NSWFloods pic.twitter.com/23iRlL5bw9
— Penny Burfitt (@BurfittPenny) November 16, 2022
Singapore rescue specialists to arrive today
Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said 18 flood rescue specialists from the Singapore Civil Defence Force would arrive on Thursday to relieve exhausted workers who have been dealing with 65 consecutive days of flooding.
Emergency services have been stretched "to the very limit" and the international assistance would help manage volunteers and workers' fatigue during the ongoing crisis, she said.
"This unprecedented flooding requires an unprecedented response," she said.
"It will give all our wonderful volunteers and staff much-needed relief as they gear up to respond to flooding well into next year."
The flood rescue operators will undertake an induction before being deployed to Parkes and Wagga Wagga.
The international support was requested by the SES and co-ordinated by Fire and Rescue NSW in accordance with the provisions under the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group.
The help comes in addition to a crew of 24 who arrived from New Zealand earlier this week with more expected from the US within days.
The Bureau of Meteorology says the Lachlan River peak could remain throughout the weekend.
Downstream from Forbes, Condobolin and Euabalong are also reaching record river heights and people there have been asked to prepare to evacuate or prepare to isolate.
Along the Lachlan, major flooding is also occurring at Nanami, Cottons Weir, Jemalong and Hillston.
The SES said it would continue to resupply isolated communities, including residents of Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Collarenebri.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
