Orange gets 80mm in last 24 hours as NSW big wet continues

Orange has been drenched by almost 80 millimetres in the last 24 hours - the 77.2mm in gauges across Orange marking the city's wettest day of 2021, passing the 52.6mm recorded on March 12.

It's also Orange's wettest November day since March 1, 2013, when 109.6mm was recorded at the Bureau of Meteorology's base at the Orange airport.

So far this November, through just 12 days, the city has recorded 184mm, which is Orange's wettest November since records began being taken at the airport in 1996.

And, following a wet winter and a wet 2020, too, the records could continue to fall.

Historic records indicate the last time Orange passed 200mm in November was in 1974 (210mm) and prior to that 1947 (207mm). The city's wettest November was over a century ago, with 230mm recorded in 1920.

There's a 90 per cent chance of rain on Saturday, with the BoM predicting as much as 15mm to fall. While later in the week weatherzone.com is suggesting more rain with a 70 per cent chant of rain next Friday and then a 90 per cent chance of rain both on Saturday and Sunday. If those predictions eventuate, as much as 25mm is on the radar and rocket the city towards a hundred-year first, weather-wise.

Overnight, roads were closed as the city copped the brunt of the state's big wet.

As of 9am, the Ophir Road 2nd & 4th Crossing, reserve is closed, as are the Dry Creek Road, White Rocks Road and Gowan Road in the Cabonne shire.

There's water over the Clergate Road, Peaks Road (currently being inspected) and Euchareena Road, while Burrendong Way has been impacted but is currently open.

Also read: Sheep graziers' alert as NSW wet weather continues

The State Emergency Services has also advised the following bridges may be closed later today due to flooding:

There is also a minor to moderate flood warning in place for Orange, Molong and Bell River areas.

There is also a sheep graziers warning in place for the Central Tablelands, with a top of just 8 degrees Celsius predicted for Saturday and more rain on the radar.

The Duntryleague golf course has been closed due to the deluge, while Orange District Cricket Association president Mark Frecklington confirmed Friday night's Royal Hotel Cup clash was abandoned and all of Saturday's games scheduled for turf were also cancelled. Although unlikely to go ahead, a call on lower grade games would be made around lunchtime.

The Orange District Softball Association has also cancelled its round three games, with the diamonds at Jack Brabham too wet for competition.

Bureau of Meteorology Hazard Preparedness and Response East Manager Jane Golding said now was the time to prepare for flooding.

"This kind of heavy rainfall over a short period of time can cause dangerous flash flooding and combined with the fact that many river catchments down the east coast are already quite wet, there is a very real risk that we may see some rivers flood too," she said.

This story first appeared on The Central Western Daily

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