The Hunter River Times

What is happening?

According to the SES minor flooding is unlikely along the Upper Hunter River at Muswellbrook, Aberdeen and Denman.

Minor flooding is not expected at Scone Kingdon Ponds. Renewed rises are possible with forecast rain though.

Moderate to heavy rainfall has been recorded in parts of the Upper and Lower Hunter River catchment since Sunday.

Major flooding above the March 2021 level is occurring along the Wollombi Brook at Bulga and moderate flooding is occurring at Wollombi.

Major flooding is likely to develop along the Hunter River at Singleton from Wednesday morning and moderate flooding is likely at Maitland from Wednesday morning. The Hunter River at Raymond Terrace is currently above the minor flood level with further rises expected into Wednesday.

Minor flooding is no longer likely in the Upper Hunter though rises are still possible with forecast rain Tuesday into Wednesday.

A separate minor flood warning is current for the Paterson and Williams Rivers.

A flood watch is current for NSW Coastal Rivers from Hunter to the South Coast, for potential renewed flooding.

What we are expecting:

Upper Hunter:

Minor flooding is unlikely along the Upper Hunter River at Muswellbrook, Aberdeen and Denman. Minor flooding is not expected at Scone Kingdon Ponds. Renewed rises are possible with forecast rain though

At Scone and surrounding areas:

• Possible isolation due to road closures

• Main Merriwa to Scone road may close

At Aberdeen and surrounding areas:

• Localised flooding may inundate properties in the Blairmore Lane area

• Rouchel road may close affecting access to Glenbawn Dam and outlying rural properties

At Muswellbrook and surrounding areas:

• Possible closure of New England Highway at rail overpass at Maitland Bridge Street

• Possible isolation of properties along Wybong and Kayuga roads

At Denman and surrounding areas:

• Possible inundation of low lying rural areas

What you need to do:

• Do not drive, ride or walk through flood water

By: Superintendent Graeme Craig Hunter Incident Controller E: nhz.ops@ses.nsw.gov.au

• Farmers on low lying land close to rivers and creeks are urged to monitor livestock, pumps and other equipment. Waste and chemical containers should be located well above predicted flood levels.

• Residents of low lying areas near the river should keep an active watch on the flood waters.

• Consider impacts of possible road closures on work, family and educational commitments

• Monitoring emergency warnings and severe weather updates on local ABC radio, NSW SES Hunter Facebook Page and Bureau of Meteorology website

• If you live in a low-lying area and are advised by an emergency services officer to evacuate, please do so

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500.

In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.