‘We didn’t stand a chance’ - the Nyngan floods, 20 years on

He had about 20 horses in work and was developing a team that he thought would help him earn a living.

Then, in April of that year, a massive downpour hit the region and resulted in Nyngan resembling a 10-metre high lake.

The sheer volume of water was enough to burst the banks of the Bogan River and forced the majority of the town’s population to evacuate.

But not Rodney. He had his horses to look after.

They were his meal ticket. So he stayed, moved them to the showground and watched as the town sunk.

“There was no levee bank in those days. We didn’t really think it would happen,” he said.

“About a week before the flood hit town I was out the road helping Frank Hodgson with his sheep and there was water everywhere.

“I remember telling my dad about it because he had sheep as well.

“We mustered sheep until about 10 or 11 o’clock that night.

“About five days out I was thinking that we didn’t stand a chance. I just had a feeling something was going to happen.”

By the morning of April 24, record heavy rains in the Bogan River catchment ensured Nyngan was under water.

With damage estimated at $50 million and all services to the town cut, it was decided to airlift almost the entire population of Nyngan to safety until the flood receded and services could be restored.

“My wife Wendy and three kids all got evacuated to Dubbo,” Mr Robb said.

“I was told to go too but I told them that my horses were my living so I took them to the showground but they were still standing in water three feet deep.”

Army helicopters, TV news helicopters and private helicopters all took part in airlifting residents from the town.

Their efforts are commemorated by an Army helicopter being on display outside the Nyngan Railway Station.

It took months for Nyngan to recover from the big flood.

You would expect that to be the case when people were boating their way down the main street for the best part of a week or two.

“I always wondered how it happened,” Mr Robb said.

“The Bogan River is a huge catchment area and it just shows how much rain and water was about. I think we got something like 20 inches.

“It was everywhere. It came from Tomingley, Tottenham, Tullamore, out the back of Nevertire.”

Almost 20 years on, it’s a far different story.

The Bogan had been running almost dry until last weekend’s downpours dumped heavy rain on the region.

Nyngan didn’t get as much as expected but that didn’t stop the mighty Bogan River from running again.

Yesterday the river at Nyngan was at 2.97 metres high and falling.

But the good thing about the people of Nyngan is that they have learned from their mistakes.

“It will take something phenomenal for it to happen to us again,” Mr Robb said.

“They have a very good levee in place now.

“But I’ve told the kids that if they ever see the water rising quickly to keep an eye on things and not be complacent.

“A lot of people didn’t think it would hit us 20 years ago and look what happened.”

ben.walker@ruralpress.com