Weekend plans and work week schedules have been disrupted for those travelling across the Gunnedah district in recent days.
As the Peel River in Tamworth neared the major flood height early on Sunday morning, Gunnedah residents rushed home as encroaching floodwater impacted the Oxley Highway.
Floodwater was already across one lane of the Oxley Highway near Tommy’s Swamp between Gunnedah and Carroll just before lunchtime.
One hour later the road was closed to all traffic in both directions.
About the same time, the Kamilaroi Highway near Curlewis was re-opened to traffic after closing the day prior due to heavy rainfall in the area.
This allowed Gunnedah motorists stranded in Tamworth the opportunity to return home via the southern route through Quirindi and the Kamilaroi Highway.
Later on Monday, as the floodwater made its way downstream of Gunnedah, the Kamilaroi Highway between Boggabri and Gunnedah was closed due to water over the road.
Elsewhere, Bluevale Road, Grain Valley Road, Orange Grove Road and Normans Road near Carroll were also closed due to flooding.
Further south at Tambar Springs, relatively minor flooding was experienced. Tambar Springs SES reported just one road was closed in the area during last week’s rain event. The Quirindi-Premer road was shut Saturday but re-opened Sunday. Robyn Styles from Tambar SES said Bundella Creek also “went up” but only with some water across Coonabarabran Road.
The NSW SES in Gunnedah reported at least one rescue on Sunday for a vehicle trapped in floodwater near Gunnedah. The occupants were safely rescued.
Live Traffic update of roads closed in the Gunnedah area on Monday.
