Intense flooding in central-western NSW that drenched more than 100 homes and forced 1000 residents to flee is likely to be declared a natural disaster, Premier Mike Baird said.
The town of Forbes' Lachlan river peaked at 10.67 metres at the Forbes Iron Bridge on Sunday night, leading to an evacuation order for about 1000 people on Saturday and leaving more than 100 homes isolated in the shire.
Premier Baird on Monday said he expected the area to be declared a natural disaster.
Anyone who stands here and sees the damage, the strong expectation is that it is a natural disaster area which means it will be triggered.NSW Premier Mike Baird
"It is likely to be declared a natural disaster which would mean further assistance would come," Baird told reporters.
More than 230 families had been evacuated from the area.
"I think all of us feel for him and feel for all the families forced out by the crisis. Forbes is a community that has been here before, they will get through and will continue to get through," Baird said.
The ABC reports about 50 people have registered with the evacuation centre at Forbes High School, but most are staying with friends and family and in local hotels and motels.
"Some homes do have water through them, but not a great deal," Forbes SES controller Roc Walshaw told the national broadcaster.
There are reports rising waters are threatening to split the town in two.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts a second, higher peak near Condobolin and Euabalong this week, and Fairfax media reports five Australian Defence Force trucks were assisting with emergency transport in and around Forbes on Sunday.