The Globe Hotel was surrounded by flood water on Wednesday morning. (Photos: Forbes Shire Council Facebook page)

Less than two weeks after the worst flood in decades, Forbes residents watched the water rise again this week to flood levels predicted to reach the record of 1952. 

At the time of going to print the water had already gone past the previous week’s levels and was on its way to the predicted 10.8m. On Wednesday morning about two-thirds of the town was inundated. 

“Residents can’t believe it could happen twice in such a short period of time, but they are resilient and everyone was working to fill sandbags,” Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller told ABC TV on Tuesday morning. “This is the worst flood I’ve ever seen. It is really heartbreaking. Our farming community and businesses are suffering terribly. We’ve got the Newell Highway closed, it’s terrible for the economy of a small rural town.” 

Residents poured their hearts out on social media echoing the Mayor’s feelings. A post by Forbes Medicine & Mind read: “It’s really cruel doing this again 11 days after the last flood. There is so much uncertainty. So much destruction already and we know there is still so much more water to come. There is so much loss. So much grief.” 

The RFS had to rescue 14 people from the roof of the Plainsmans Hotel in Forbes overnight on Tuesday, while an elderly couple, their daughter and their two dogs were rescued by a helicopter when their home was threatened by rising waters. 

The SES again had to transfer critical health workers to the hospital via boat as it was the only means for them to get to work. 

Recovery work from the previous flood was also hampered on Monday when the Newell Highway was closed between Forbes and Parkes and emergency crews could not make it to town. The rescue helicopters were also stuck at the Parkes airport as the Billabong Creek bridge was badly damaged in flash flooding at Parkes early Monday morning. 

NSW SES and the NSW Police Force are advising if you or your family have been displaced from your home due to flooding, it is important to register your details at Register Find Reunite website –https://register.redcross.org.au/ – a national system managed andoperated by Australian Red Cross. The service registers, finds andreunites family, friends and loved ones after an emergency, let others know they are safe.

In a life threatening emergency ring 000.You can also register at Forbes Evacuation Centre on 0476 978 072 or through the SES on 132 500.

The Rotary Club of Forbes is calling on employer groups in Forbes or employees in the 18 to 28 age group to nominate candidates to attend the 2023 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). 

The 2023 RYLA will be held from Saturday, 7th January to Friday, 13th January at the Warrambui Retreat and Conference Centre in Murrumbateman NSW.

Employers are invited to nominate staff members in this age group or employee applicants can approach their employers to support their attendance in this week-long program.

Young people in our district have been hugely affected by the 2014/19 drought, the COVID-19 Pandemic and the current record high flooding of the Lachlan River, so now is the perfect time to support them in their leadership development.

Two of the current members of Forbes Rotary Club are past attendees of RYLA, farmer Grahame Uphill and civil engineer John Zannes. They have great memories of the RYLA experience and can’t speak highly enough about the benefits of this Rotary program.

Participants can complete an online application form by accessing https://forms.gle/bYo1tqn8GduCJ3kL9 The sponsorship fee for each participant is $950, which includes a generous subsidy from Rotary District 9705. This fee includes meal and accommodation costs, travelling expenses for inspirational speakers and support staff, and may also attract a further subsidy from the Forbes Rotary Club depending on the applicant’s financial situation. 

For further information please contact the Forbes Rotary Youth Director Ross Williams on 0428 531 132.

Forbes resident Mamata Pun Rama’s waters broke and the SES helped her cross flood-waters with her partner Chitra to the Forbes Hospital where they welcomed son Imaan on Saturday. They are with midwife Jud Driscoll. (Photo: Western New South Wales Local Health District)

Volunteers at the SES yard in School Road on Friday morning worked very hard to fill sandbags. More than 25,000 bags were filled in just two days.

With all the Forbes schools closed from Friday, the youngest SES volunteer in Forbes Jakaylia Ware (8) was on duty at the sandbagging machine. She showed Member for Member for Orange Phil Donato, NSW Premier Dominique Perrotet and Minister Steph Cooke the ropes.

SES Volunteer Kerry Locke with Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke MP.

PHOTOS: FARMPIX PHOTOGRAPHY

The bowling greens turned into swimming pools at the Forbes Sport & Recreation Club.

Lake Forbes has swelled in size with the Johnny Woods Crossing, Apex Park and Grinstead Oval completely submerged. The Vampire aircraft is just visible.

Businesses in Johnson and Lachlan Streets surrounded by water.

The water went up the Newell Highway towards Parkes as far as Bunnings.