Menindee residents in far western NSW are expected to remain on high alert for flooding over the next 24 to 36 hours as the swollen Darling River continues to rise.
Locals are working alongside the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the State Emergency Service (SES) to contain the rising river.
At least a dozen homes have been flooded, with fears more are at risk.
According to Water NSW, the swollen Darling is currently sitting at 10.2 metres.
Last week, it was predicted the river would peak at 10.7m, which would eclipse the 1976 record.
At a community meeting on Thursday, residents were warned the river would rise from its 9.6m level.
"We were told we had pretty much 36 to 48 hours that it was coming up over a metre," resident Joshua Nadge said.
Unfortunately for some, the lack of notice from authorities has not given them enough time to install adequate levees.
Mr Nadge said had it not been for the community's support to reinforce the levee, his and several other neighbouring properties would have flooded like those less than 500 metres away.
"We had three people in waist deep water on their knees, pinning it (the levee) on the top with shovels and it was hot yesterday," he said.
"But you've just got to fight until you can't fight anymore."
Others left frustrated
Bob Looney lived in Menindee through the 1976 record flood and is fairly confident his levee will hold against the rising river.
Like many residents in town, he believes the communication about the increasing water level was poor.
"Well, what can you do? ... You can't do nothing," he said.
"It's just a waste ... like it (the communication) was a complete mess."
Those on the ground have battled through intense heat, with temperatures in the late 30s and early 40s.
Menindee Local Aboriginal Land Council chair and Barkindji woman Michelle Kelly said a large number of people directly impacted by the water have found shelter.
"As far as I know most people have housing, but if this water keeps coming up I think there's going to be a few more people in Menindee requiring housing," Ms Kelly said.
She would also like more transparent information about the water levels.
"People just don't know what's going to happen," she said.
According to Water NSW, the fluctuating water level predictions are at least partially due to the Taylawalker Creek, which runs roughly once a decade during periods of flooding.
Due to the creek running so infrequently, its flows are not monitored which initially presented a challenge according to authorities.
Authorities are now taking the creek into account and have been releasing more water out of the storage system down river.
"The flow of floodwater into Menindee Lakes remains largely constant at a rate of approximately 80 gigalitres per day," a spokesperson said.
31 properties 'potentially' at risk
SES spokesman Dave Rankine said dozens of homes will be impacted if the river reaches 10.7m.
"We still have 31 properties identified as potentially being affected by the predicted peak, and we still have to assume that that peak may be reached," he said.
Although he remains optimistic because the river has not risen at the rate predicted when Water NSW began releasing 75,000 gigalitres a day from the main weir.
"It seems at the moment the river has not reacted with the rapid rises to that 10.7 metre level," he said.
"Which is great news for the community."
