Deua River flood warning downgraded to moderate, but further rises possible as rain continues

Eurobodalla Shire Council staff have been in Mogo village today making sure people have their essentials available. Recovery services will arrive once the emergency is over.

Council also announced three new road closures as of 3.30pm:

UPDATE (2.30pm)

The flood warning for the Deua has been downgraded from major to moderate in the latest update from the SES. However, renewed rises are possible as further heavy rainfall is predicted.

Heavy rainfall across the Moruya River catchment Thursday into Friday has caused rapid river level rises along the Deua River at Riverview and along Araluen Creek at Neringla Road. Riverview and Neringla Road peaked earlier Friday, December 10, though renewed rises are occurring.

Further heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are forecast for the South Coast for the next 12 to 24 hours with further rises possible.

Moderate flooding is likely occurring along the Deua River at Wamban. Automatic river level data is not currently available for Wamban though based on the river level heights at Riverview, Wamban is around 7.00 metres and steady, with moderate flooding.

The Deua River at Riverview was measured at 8.78m and steady at 1.45pm Friday.

A peak of 8.30 metres likely occurred along the Deua River at Wamban around 10.45am Friday.

Based on the prediction provided by the Bureau of Meteorology it is expected the following areas will be impacted by dangerous floodwaters:

UPDATE (1.19pm)

Eurobodalla Council now confirms North Head Drive in Moruya is closed, with detours via the Princes Highway and Broulee Road.

UPDATE (12.21pm)

NSW SES is warning those who live in the Mullenderee Flats and North Moruya floodplains to prepare for flooding as the high-tide is due this afternoon.

"Get prepared now, because we are likely to have further road closures with the Moruya River at Moruya Bridge expected to exceed the Moderate Flood Level (2.60m) and reach 2.80m by Friday afternoon," an SES spokesperson said.

"At 2.10m roads will be closed around South Head Road, North Head Drive, Church Street, Shore Street, River Street, Wamban Road, Araluen Road, and Hawdons Road.

"At 2.50m, the floodplains of Mullenderee Flats east of the Princes Highway being to become inundated.

"At 2.60m, the floodplains of Mullenderee Flats and North Moruya are inundates. Livestock and machinery should be removed from low-lying areas by this height.

"Local flooding from Racecourse Creek usually occurs in the low lying areas of the southeast portion of Moruya Golf Couse."

UPDATE (11.41am)

Moruya SES has set up an emergency operations centre at the SES station and will assist with sandbagging throughout the afternoon.

Council is reporting the following roads as closed as of 11.30am:

Council also reports all sportsgrounds and ovals are closed, as well as the Moruya Swimming Pool

UPDATE (9.42am)

The Transport Management Centre is reporting the Princes Highway is now open at Mogo after flood waters resided this morning.

The Kings Highway is also no longer affected by water that was on the road near Reid Street, Nelligen.

UPDATE (7.40am)

Emergency services are at the ready as heavy rains have led to road closures and flood warnings across the Eurobodalla Shire on Friday morning.

The Princes Highway was closed in both directions at Mogo after flooding between Dog Trap Road and Church Street this morning.

The Transport Management Centre also reported flooding impacting the Princes Highway through Moruya.

The Kings Highway was also affected at Nelligen near Reid Street.

Eurobodalla Shire Council is reporting the following roads closed as of 8.30am on Friday:

Meanwhile, the SES has released flood bulletins for both the Moruya and Deua Rivers.

"Moderate flooding is expected at Moruya," the bulletin reads.

"The Moruya River at Moruya Bridge is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (2.60 m) around 11am Friday.

"The river level is likely to reach around 2.80 metres early Friday afternoon on the high tide, with moderate flooding."

The SES said the Kiora Bridge and Wamban Bridge may both be impacted by flood waters, roads and low-lying areas near the Moruya River and its tributaries, as well as the floodplain, will be impacted by dangerous flood waters, the floodplains of Mullenderee Flats and North Moruya may be impacted, and the Moruya Golf Course may also be impacted.

Properties in North Moruya, Mullenderee Flats, downstream of Moruya, and West Moruya may also be impacted.

Araluen Road is already closed.

As of 6.45am on Friday, the Moruya River at the Moruya Bridge was at 1.10m and rising, while the Deua River at Riverview was 10.04m and rising.

The Deua River has received a Major Flood Warning, with the SES expecting waters at Wamban to reach the major flood level (8m) at about 8am on Friday.

"People in areas like to be impacted by flooding should act now to prepare properties," the flood warning reads.

"Stay up to date with information, listen to flood warnings, and follow the advice on how to protect yourself, family, and property.

"Keep your pets close by, and always know where they are.

"Check on your family, friends and neighbours."

The SES said farmers and rural property owners should watch the river and be ready to move pumps, equipment and livestock away from rising waters.

Motorists should never drive through flood waters, which may have washed away road surfaces and could be deeper or faster-flowing than they look.