Residents in the Jerilderie region are the latest to have their lives impacted by major flooding as Billabong Creek flows increase.
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Reports are being received of some homes at Jerilderie beginning to succumb to inundation, with other infrastructure badly affected.
While the majority of the township itself is still not facing water damage, there are some low-lying areas that are disappearing under water.
Among the local infrastructure impacted is the Jerilderie Apex Mini Rail.
Surrounded by water since mid-October, Jerilderie Apex immediate past president Aron Birch said only a small section of the track is not submerged.
“The Billabong runs along both sides of the min rail track, and there’s only a small part of the rail on higher ground not covered by water,” he said.
“At least 90 per cent would be under.
“We knew the creek would be coming up, but initially no one thought it would get this bad.
“By the time we realised (a few weeks ago) it was too late to really do anything.”
Mr Birch said upgrades made at the railway after the 2016 floods are now under water again, and he said the station – an old railway carriage - would likely need considerable repairs after this flood event.
“This time we expect the timber floor might need total replacement, given 2016 and now this flood.
“Especially as it seems this flood is moving a lot harder than in 2016.
“A lot of the track will also need to be redone.
“The damage is done now and we just have to ride it out, assess the damage and see what grants we can apply for.”
Jerilderie’s Kayla McAuliffe has been watching the waterlogging of the region taking place as she travels to Deniliquin each weekday for work.
Usually making the trip via the Jerilderie-Conargo Rd, she switched to detouring through Finley two weeks ago because of the amount of water on the roadsides.
“Quite a few of the paddocks are basically lakes now,” she said.
“The last time I did take the Conargo Rd the water was already starting to come across the road, so I knew it would not take much more water for that to happen.
“While the Riverina Highway between Finley and Deniliquin is mostly fine, the stretch between Jerilderie and Finley is now getting just as bad.
“The expanses of water start before you even get to the 100km/h sign on the Newell heading out of Jerilderie.
“The potholes are also getting a lot worse.”
For some residents, the risk of their homes and businesses flooding is more evident than for others.
Many in the community are resiliently taking the situation in their stride, preparing but not panicking.
Jerilderie Newsagency owner Natasha Nash said that while the community is facing an increased flood risk, their spirits remain high.
“Most people are still going about their business as normal, still going to work each day," she said.
“When people come in to get their papers, they still have a chat, they’re still in good spirits.
“They seem to be doing their same daily routine.”
While the impact on the township is not vast at this time, many farmers have faced, and may still face, a harder time of it.
Crops have yet to be be harvested and much of the grain that was ready to be stripped has been badly downgraded.
Mrs Nash said her son works on a property and he is still able to get to his job despite some road closures in the region.
On Friday, the NSW SES advised people of current rising floodwater on the Billabong Creek flooding from Jerilderie to Wanganella.
It said the flooding along the Billabong Creek is expected to continue to rise for some time.
At the time of going to print yesterday, the Billabong at Jerilderie was 2.41m.
Low-lying areas from Rand to Jerilderie surrounding the Billabong Creek have also been impacted, with roads closed or impassable.
Last weekend, the Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Brigade, SES, Murrumbidgee Council staff and other community members filled 20 pallets of sandbags in Jerilderie to assist with upcoming needs.
There are currently a number of major road closures in the Jerilderie area, including South Coree Road between Booroobanilly Road and Lignum Lane/Willawa Lane, as well as Rifle Range Road.
All residents are reminded never to enter floodwaters on foot or by vehicle due to the risk of damage to roadways. Floowaters also pose a health risk.