The flood peak has passed, but the danger is not over for the community of Forbes.
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The Lachlan River at the Forbes Iron Bridge peaked at 10.67 metres on Sunday night, which was above the level of the town’s 1990 flood, after a number of residents were evacuated.
SES Lachlan Region controller Nichole Richardson said the risk of further flooding in Forbes was not over yet.
“The floodwaters have peaked overnight [on Sunday night] and they’re going to stay up for a little while,” she said.
“We’re going to see some rainfall over the next few days, so we’re likely to see some further rises.”
Rainfall between 20 and 60mm is expected to fall over the catchment on Wednesday and Thursday.
The floodwaters spread unpredictably on Sunday morning, prompting authorities to warn the community not to be complacent.
In Forbes on Monday, Premier Mike Baird promised funding assistance for the town.
Mr Baird announced the support at a press conference outside the Forbes Shire Council Chambers.
“There’s obviously already assistance available for those that have been evacuated from their homes,” he said.
He said Forbes was likely “to be declared a natural disaster, which would mean that further assistance would come”.
Mr Baird visited the Forbes SES Unit on Monday morning, where he expressed his gratitude to the SES, army and emergency services personnel for their efforts.