January 20, 2007 - 8:14PM AdvertisementAdvertisement
Volunteers have been sandbagging homes and businesses in the far-west NSW town of Broken Hill to protect them from flash flooding after a heavy downpour on Saturday afternoon.
The State Emergency Services (SES) said it has received 111 calls for help since 4pm (AEDT), mainly from businesses and properties within the town centre.
There have also been reports of minor water damage to the local hospital.
An SES spokesman said many of the problems had been caused because Broken Hill does not have a storm water drain system.
He said locals were helping SES volunteers to lay as many sandbags as possible ahead of forecast further thunderstorms.
The Bureau of Meteorology's Tim Edwards said Broken Hill had recorded 37.6mm of rain since 9am (AEDT) Saturday morning.
"It started light and easy," he said.
"But it's started to bucket down (on Saturday afternoon)."
The Barrier Highway was closed at Broken Hill as was the road to Silverton and numerous local roads, the SES spokesman said.
Anyone thinking of travelling to Broken Hill is urged to contact police or the local council.
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