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The Canberra Times

National

Louise Thrower

SES advises Gunning to monitor conditions after another deluge

SES Bob Bell Flood

Shipping container floats down main street after latest NSW rainfall

Gunning residents have been urged to monitor conditions following another downpour on Sunday.

Up to 39 millimeters fell in the area on Sunday, according to Argyle Strae Emergency Service cluster commander, Bob Bell.

The forecast prompted the SES to move caravanners out of Barbour Park on Sunday as a precaution. Mr Bell said it only took 37mm two weeks ago to create severe flooding in Gunning's main street and surrounding area, due to saturated catchments. This time, the SES wanted people to be prepared.

Gunning residents and business owners have been cleaning up since the flooding two weeks ago. Fortunately, weekend rain didn't create flash flooding, as expected. Picture by Louise Thrower

"The river was coming up and there were flows in the upper catchment," he said about the weekend rain.

"We were worried about flash flooding but it didn't happen."

Residents were put on watch-and-act alert but on Monday, this was later revised to monitor conditions.

SES and Rural Fire Service crews prepared sandbags on Sunday for residents. Mr Bell said while some were delivered, others had enough from two weeks ago.

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While Meadow Creek, running through the town, was swollen on Sunday night, it was receding on Monday.

The deluge defied expectations of significant flooding in the region.

Gunning's main street flooded two weeks ago during heavy rain. Picture by Ant Lewis

Collingwood property, north-east of Gunning, reported 44mm across Sunday and Monday, which swelled the Lachlan River and creeks but did not create flooding.

Goulburn airport recorded 42mm in the 24 hours to 9am Monday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

"It has put us into floods before, but not this time," Mr Bell said.

"Even at Eastgrove, there was not a lot lying around."

Water was pumped from the basement of Michael Brown's home farther up Gunning's main street after a recent deluge flooded homes and businesses. Picture by Sitthixay Ditthavong

Mr Bell said for some reason the water had dispersed more quickly across the region. He has a theory that recent deluges have helped clear out rivers and free up flow.

Meantime, several roads have been closed across the area as a result of the recent rain. Several remain closed from September flooding.

They are:

Upper Lachlan Shire

Taralga-Oberon Road is closed at the Abercrombie River.
Taralga-Oberon Rd closed at Curraweela Creek.
Yalbraith Road is closed at Monkey Creek.
Golspie Rd at Woolshed Creek near Roseberry Rd.
Tyrl Tyrl Rd is closed at Bolong River.
Peelwood Road closed at Cooksvale Creek causeway
Pomeroy Rd is closed to traffic at Heffernans Creek due pavement damage caused by flood damage.
Julong Road is closed at Crookwell River.
Reid's Flat Rd at Lachlan River.
Woodville Road is closed at Binda.
Collector to Breadalbane Road.

The Old Federal Highway at Collector

Church Street, Collector.
Collector to Gunning Road.
Rye Park Road closed at Little Plains Creek.
Rye Park Road at Blakney Creek Bridge.
Pudman Ck Rd approx. 5km out of Blackney Creek.
Rhyanna Road is closed at Tarlo River.

Goulburn Mulwaree

.Bullspit Road
Lumely Road at Bullamalita end
Mills Road
Murrays Flat Road
Rhyanna Road at Tarlo River
Stewarts Crossing

Closed Sporting Fields

.Carr Confoy Sports Field
Eastgrove South Sports Field
Prell Oval
Seiffert Oval
Wollondilly Walking Track Fitzroy Street walk bridge
Wollondilly Walking track between Gibson Street and McDermott Drive below Goodhew Park

Drive with caution: damaged pavement / water over road