Evacuations and sandbagging are continuing across inland NSW as concerned emergency services brace for more rain over flooded catchments.

Major flooding will continue along several major river systems on Friday, including the Lachlan, Darling and Murrumbidgee rivers, affecting towns including Forbes, Condobolin, Bourke and Hay.

“We still have a widespread, significant emergency response across western and southern NSW,” SES Chief Superintendent Ashley Sullivan told ABC News.

“Particularly concerning is we are watching a weather system over the weekend where we may see some additional rainfall and strong winds over western and southern NSW.”

The SES conducted five flood rescues across the central west region in the 24 hours to Friday morning, in addition to 244 calls for assistance.

With some rivers in flood for the past six months and repeated major floods recently, Supt Sullivan said interstate and international help was on hand to relieve fatigued SES personnel.

“This flooding at this rate is anticipated to be around right through Christmas … and right into the new year,” he said.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on Friday will meet evacuees and emergency services in Eugowra after a flash flood devastated the central west town.

Police continue searching for Ljubisa “Les” Vugec, 85, and a man in his 20s – both feared dead – after flooding swept through the town on Monday.

Downstream, Condobolin and Euabalong are bracing for the worst after the Lachlan River rose beyond records set there in 1952.

Euabalong is forecast to reach 7.7 metres at the weekend, Condobolin could top 7.6 metres on Monday and further rises later in the week are possible, the weather bureau says.

Meanwhile, about 1000 Forbes residents are subject to evacuation orders for the second time in as many weeks as the regional centre’s CBD was again flooded.

The prolonged major flooding isn’t expected to cease until early next week.

Major flooding is also occurring around Hay as the Murrumbidgee River remains high.

Mildura and Boundary Bend are also on alert, as the Murray River and surrounding tributaries remain swollen.

The outback town of Bourke will also be a cause of concern, with the weather bureau predicting the Darling River’s peak around Monday could match the level set in September 1998 floods.

Much of the country’s south-east would enjoy clear conditions on Friday morning before thunderstorms return to western NSW at night, the weather bureau said.

Thunderstorms will be widespread across NSW on Saturday before easing on Sunday afternoon.

Renewed showers were not expected to pose a flood risk, it said.

– AAP

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