Flooding in Forbes anticipated for Tuesday following widespread rain across Central West

Flood waters from Cowra combined with flood waters from the Belubula River have caused major flooding at Nanami where river levels are likely to peak Monday afternoon.

In a flood bulletin issued before 8am Monday, the BOM reiterated advice the magnitude of the current flood at Nanami and Forbes may be similar to the September 2016 flood.

The Lachlan River at Nanami is likely to peak near 12.20 metres Monday afternoon with major flooding. If eventuated, this level would be slightly higher than the September 2016 flood peak.

The Lachlan River is already at minor flood levels at Cottons Weir, Forbes Iron Bridge and Jemalong, but all sites are expected to reach the moderate flood level Monday.

It comes after Orange recorded its wettest November in over 130 years, with over 220mm in rain gauges over the first 14 days of the month, keeping SES busy in the colour city too.

Iron Bridge in Forbes: 9.10m and rising at 7.30am Monday

Cottons Weir: 5.12m and rising at 7.30am Monday

Jemalong Weir (downstream): 7.35m and rising at 6.45am Monday

Iron Bridge in Forbes: Exceed moderate flood level (9.5m) Monday afternoon and major flood level (10.55m) Tuesday morning. Further rises to 10.65m early Wednesday morning are possible.

Cottons Weir: Exceed moderate flood level (5.3m) midday Monday and major flood level (6.6m) Tuesday morning. It may rise to 7.2m Wednesday morning.

Jemalong Weir (downstream): Exceed moderate flood level (7.5m) Monday afternoon and major flood level (7.7m) during Wednesday. Further rises are possible with predictions made after upstream peaks are observed.

A flood evacuation advice has been issued for some residential areas of Forbes and a walk-through evacuation centre will open at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Harold Street from 10am to 6pm.

Water is now impacting roads with the Escort Way and Lachlan Valley Way closed to all traffic, and water over other roads.

Updates at LiveTraffic for major roads and Forbes Shire Council for local roads.

In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring NSW SES on 132 500.

Meanwhile, there's a State Emergency Service vehicle at every turn and a line of Rural Fire Service trucks and volunteers ready to go.

Flooding equalling 2016 levels is now predicted for Forbes and downstream this week, and the community is preparing.

There's been a steady stream of vehicles queuing for sandbags from the SES Depot on School Road all day Sunday, and SES and RFS volunteers as well as community members have rolled up their sleeves to fill them.

It's estimated more than 10,000 sandbags have been filled and distributed.

If you need sandbags, please attend the depot on the corner of School Road and Farnell Street or phone 132500 to request assistance.

Road closures are one of the first impacts Forbes residents can expect from the flooding: the Eugowra Road (Escort Way) has now closed, and there is already water over other local roads.

The Cowra road (Lachlan Valley Way) will be next impacted at various locations, and numerous local roads will be cut as flood waters rise.

Doorknocking of homes likely to be impacted was beginning on Sunday when the Advocate dropped into the emergency centre for an update.

At this stage, the teams are advising residents of the impending impacts and gathering data on their plans, local SES controller Roc Walshaw says.

"More than 100" homes are impacted at this stage, but those numbers will firm up as the flood situation develops.

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