Forbes and surrounding rural residents in NSW's Central West continue to prepare for major flooding.
The Lachlan River is expected to reach the major flood level at Forbes' Iron Bridge Tuesday night, and peak at 10.65m on Wednesday.
The Nanami gauge read 12.45m at its peak at Nanami overnight, with major flooding.
READ MORE: Forbes evacuation order as flood threatens
That's a little higher than the 2016 flood height at that location, the Bureau of Meteorology reports, but the flood impact on Forbes is predicted to be similar to 2016 flood, when more than 200 people were evacuated from their homes.
The roads from Forbes to Cowra, Eugowra and Bedgerabong are now closed due to the rising water, and it is starting to creep in Lower Bathurst Street with drone footage captured by Craig Dwyer on Tuesday morning.
Road closure information is updated on the Forbes Shire Council and Live Traffic websites.
Mayor Phyllis Miller says the community is planning for the worst, which at 10.65m could see the water impacting the town and coming through Dowling Street, but hoping for the best.
Local SES controller Roc Walshaw was heading up in a chopper to inspect the water when the Advocate phoned this morning, we will have more from him later.
IN OTHER NEWS:
The Forbes SES depot continues to call for community volunteers to help fill sandbags, with the demand continuing.
School Road is one-way only due to the queue for sandbags.
If you need sandbags, please enter from the Calarie Road end and exit to Farnell Street.
Volunteers are asked to park along the treeline with all the other vehicles and walk to the gate.
The Lachlan River at Cottons Weir is expected to exceed the major flood level (6.60 m) Wednesday morning.
The river level may peak around 7.20 metres late Wednesday, with major flooding, similar to the September 2016 flood event.
The Lachlan River at Jemalong Weir Downstream is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (7.50 m) Tuesday evening.
The river level is likely to reach the major flood level (7.70 m) during Thursday. Further rises are possible and a peak prediction will be made once upstream peaks are observed.
