Many roads have been closed due to flooding in Condobolin. Picture: Anthony Toohey

Residents today took shelter at Forbes High School where SES crews were spearheading efforts to limit the damage being done to homes.

But some long-term residents in the heart of the town decided not to evacuate as they wait to see how high the water rises today.

This also comes following reports some residents want to stay on their properties to protect them from looters.

Lachlan region flooding from September 12 as rain continues to fall. Picture: SES FacebookSource:Facebook

Creeks are filling quick or have already spilt onto the roads. Picture: SES FacebookSource:Facebook

State Emergency Service Deputy Commissioner Mark Morrow said the river is most likely to exceed 10.6m at some stage tomorrow.

“Forbes is the main area of concern, with another 5-15mm of rain predicted for tomorrow,” he said.

Spirits were high as neighbours helped sandbag properties on the waterline while children rowed through the streets in kayaks.

The Lachlan River is set to peak at 10.65m by midday, at which point the town will be split into three regions — all isolated from each other.

Some parts of town have already been hit harder than the 2012 floods, and residents fear the water could reach levels recorded in 1990 which nearly drowned the entire town.

“If the Lachlan River exceeds 10.6m it exceeds the 1990 flood and it is highly likely it could become a flood of record for the Forbes,” Mr Morrow said.

Police warned residents to leave their homes before 5pm, as roads were likely to become congested later in the afternoon.

The warning comes as there are reports of some residents who want to stay within the town to protect their property against looters. Police wanted to allay these concerns.

To combat the flood, the SES have brought in extra people, the RFS are assisting with door knocks, and the NSW police are providing a 24 hour service at the local police station.

Despite the fact that Forbes is experiencing a fine, blue skied day, the police reminded residents that while there is no rainfall yet, it is on its way.

While it is still a case of the unknown, the flooding is dependant on local rainfall and water levels within Wyangla Dam.

Paramedics spent the afternoon door-knocking the neighbourhood to make sure elderly residents had been evacuated.

Radio stations were also told to broadcast an emergency message warning people to grab important belongings and meet at evacuation centres.

Floodwaters rise west of Condobolin, at Gum Bend Lake and Kiacatoo Rd. Picture: Anthony TooheySource:Supplied

Many roads are closed off with more rain predicted.Source:Facebook

The Bland Shire is hit by flooding. Picture: Anthony TooheySource:Supplied

Clasping a rake in one hand and a stubbie of beer in the other, Nigel McKeon, 41, said the water rose rapidly outside his home in just 30 minutes.

“It came out of nowhere and rushed through the driveway to the front of the house,” he said.

“Council makes us build pretty high so we might be alright but if we go completely under I guess we’ll have some cleaning to do.

“It is pretty bad timing because we were going to host a birthday party for my wife tonight.”

Water surrounds Bernard Weber’s Condobolin property and his business is bleeding $15,000 per day, but he believes he is one of the lucky ones.

Floods in Condobolin. Bernard Weber stands beside his ute with the flooded Kiacatoo Road disappearing under flood waters behind him. Picture: Anthony TooheySource:Supplied

The 42-year-old earthmover has lived through at least three major floods in the Lachlan Shire and said this one is shaping up as the worst.

“Everyone is pretty good at dealing with it because we have been through the 1990 flood,” the father of three said.

“Over the next few days will be a lot of very concerned people because there will most likely be houses damaged.

“I’m lucky that my home is 15m above the river.”

A possum is saved by from the floodwaters by Linsay Henley, RFS controller in The Bland Shire. Picture: Anthony TooheySource:Supplied

Flood waters cut off access to Mr Weber’s three excavators, which are in high demand. Many homeowners have asked him to dig dirt and create a bank around their properties, something which he can’t do.

“Since 2012 we have had plenty of warning that an event like this was coming,” he said.

“A lot of people have taken advantage of that warning and have done something, while others have been complacent.”

Mr Weber said flooded roads have prevented farmers from getting their livestock to market, an economic cost which he said will only spiral.

When the Lachlan River reaches record levels tomorrow, the damage to property will only add to the overall cost of the disaster.

Forbes is the main focus of concern with evacuation orders given to residents. Picture: Facebook SESSource:Facebook

In the past four weeks the SES has conducted 100 flood rescues and responded to more than 2000 requests for assistance.

More than 100 properties at Ungarie have been evacuated, with 170 people impacted by that evacuation.

It is the third evacuation for the tiny town in three months.

Wagga Beach Caravan Park, which is an isolated section on the Murrumbidgee River, has been ordered to evacuate.

In Forbes, up to 1000 people are potentially affected by their evacuation order.

There is a warning in place for North Forbes Rd in Condobolin, which affects about 20 properties.

Many roads have been closed due to flooding in Condobolin. Picture: Anthony TooheySource:Supplied

The weather event which has caused this rainfall has been unusual, Deputy Commissioner Morrow said.

“It has been continual rain and the water does not drain,” he said.

“The catchments are saturated, the water sits, you add another 20mm of rain and it goes up another 20mm.

“Some dams are at 130 per cent capacity. Even though tomorrow (Sunday) is a big day in terms of the people of Forbes, it’s unlikely that that water will fall for anywhere between two or three weeks.

“They won’t be able to harvest any crop because the ground it too soft.”

Residents were again warned not drive through flood waters, despite some poor examples in recent days.

The deputy mayor of one affected area had to be rescued after driving through floodwaters.

A police vehicle was also filmed driving through floodwaters today.

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