ADRA Emergency Management
ADRA Australia Emergency Management Website
Coonamble Flooding
Heavy rain in and around the Coonamble LGA as well as in the Warrumbungle ranges Friday and Saturday added to rain that had fallen over Christmas to send a series of flood peaks down the Castlereagh River .
This flood peak was expected to cause major flooding when it reached Coonamble Monday or Tuesday. Because of anticipated road closures an ADRA person, Ian Hunter travelled to Coonamble on Saturday night.
On Sunday an evacuation order was issued by SES for approximately 500 residents to evacuate by 8pm in anticipation of this predicted peak. Those needing accommodation were placed in local motels, hotels and the town Caravan Park.
At 6.30 pm SES issued a further evacuation order for approximately 1000 residences. This included all the commercial accommodation in town.
The evacuation centre Community Services had opened at Coonamble High School had to be moved to the Bowling club and people who did not have family or friends to go to went to the Primary school for the night.