The Leeton Shire emergency operations centre (EOC) has been activated for the first time in the wake of flooding across Leeton shire.
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The EOC brings together representatives from the emergency services to provide a co-ordinated response to a serious emergency.
As a result of the persistent rain throughout last week and in the past 48 hours in particular, a large volume of water running off the Colinroobie ranges has breached the main canal.
District Emergency Management believes any further breach will create flooding issues across the shire.
“We are concerned if the channel breaches again it could be disastrous for Leeton,” said NSW Police Inspector Tony Reneker.
As a result, water will be forcibly diverted from Roaches regulator, about 15km from south-east of Leeton.
This water will flow across Irrigation Way (Main Road 80) in vicinity of the Cudgel Sandhills. and into the Murrumbidgee river.
Three to four houses will be evacuated as a result of this action and residents in Corbie Hill Road and Lillypilly Road are also being evacuated. An evacuation centre has been set up at Madonna Place.
“This action should alleviate the risk to the town of Leeton and further downstream,” Inspector Reneker said.
Main Road 80 will be closed as a result of the water diversion, with vehicles to use the Sturt Highway and Euroley Road to travel between Leeton and Narrandera.
Road closures in Leeton shire:
Main Road 80 - between McKellar Road and Euroley Road
Regulator Road
Merungle Hill Road
Canal Road (Yanco)
Lillypilly Road
Corbie Hill Road
Almond Road
Colinroobie Road
Gruie Street
Back Whitton Road
Henry Lawson Drive
Murrami Road (Stony Point)
