Flood Watch Issued for Far North West New South Wales Districts

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Flood Watch (IDN36503) for parts of the far north west of New South Wales. This alert serves as early advice for possible flooding within specified catchments due to a deepening trough and a near-stationary tropical low carrying an extremely humid airmass.

Affected Areas

The following catchments and districts are included in the watch area:

• Paroo River (NSW)
• Darling River
• Mount Gunderbooka to Wokabity Lake
• Bynguano-Lower Barrier Ranges
• Danggali Rivers and Creeks
• Cooper Creek
• Lake Frome
• Bulla-Bancannia District

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to take the following safety precautions:

• Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater as it is dangerous.
• Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and waterways.
• Obey all road closure signs and plan travel ahead to avoid flooded roads.
• Check road conditions before traveling, as access may be affected and communities may become isolated.
• For emergency assistance, contact the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

Expected Conditions

A tropical low over the southeastern Northern Territory is extending a trough into New South Wales. This system is forecast to bring widespread heavy rainfall with localized intense falls possible. While catchments are currently relatively dry, they are expected to respond quickly to the heavy precipitation. Expected hazards include:

• Significant accumulated rainfall.
• Isolated river and creek level rises.
• Localised flooding and overland inundation.
• Potential for river levels along the Barwon-Darling River to rise, though they are currently expected to remain below minor flood levels.

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rain is also currently in effect for parts of north west NSW.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 12:48 pm AEDT on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Conditions are expected to develop from Wednesday and continue over the next few days. The Bureau of Meteorology expects to issue the next Flood Watch update by 1:00 PM AEDT on Thursday, February 26, 2026.