A message from Singleton Council

While flood water has begun to recede on our roads, causeways, parks, reserves and sports fields, many of these remain closed while Council crews undertake inspections to determine the extent of the damage.

Our number one priority is the safety of our community and these facilities will remain closed until they have been deemed safe. In the meantime, we request that everyone avoid these areas.

A massive shout out to the Australian Defence Force, Fire & Rescue NSW station 444 Singleton and NSW Rural Fire Service NSW Rural Fire Service - Hunter Valley for their assistance today as the clean up effort begins.

A reminder to all residents that all sports fields and some parks will remain closed for the next few days. Water may have subsided, but until clean up occurs parents should NOT allow their children to play in flood water and we ask that everyone obey road and park closure signage. There are a variety of environmental health risks following flooding, particularly as flood water may be contaminated with sewage and chemicals.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to respond to this emergency situation.

Don't forget:

2pm:

The New England Highway between White Avenue and Queen Street has been reopened to traffic, however a number of roads around Singleton remain closed on Friday after flooding earlier this week.

Minor flooding was still occurring along the Hunter River at Singleton on Friday.

River levels fell below the moderate flood level (11.50 metres) early on Friday morning.

Singleton saw a major flood peak of 13.16 metres about 7pm on Wednesday.

Residents of low-lying properties surrounding Dunolly, Glenridding and Scotts Flat, which had been subject to evacuation orders during the worst of the severe rainfall and flooding earlier this week, have been told that it is safe to return to their properties.

"Flood levels have dropped but you should take care when returning to the area as flood damage can be widespread and utilities may not be in service," the NSW SES said.

An evacuation order remains in place for the low-lying areas of Whittingham and Combo Lane.

The advice for anyone whose property has been affected by floodwater is:

The evacuation centre at Singleton Diggers was closed on Thursday.

Flood-affected residents in need of support and information can phone Service NSW on 137 788 between 7am and 10pm, seven days per week or go to the Service NSW website.

Water supply in Henry Drive, Singleton Heights was restored about 11pm on Thursday. Singleton Council shut the water off about 9.30am to fix a water leak.

The Dunolly Bridge in Singleton's town centre was reopened to traffic about noon on Thursday.

The New England Highway was reopened to traffic in both directions about 10.30pm on Thursday.

Many other roads around Singleton remain closed.

Singleton Council urged motorists to adhere to road signs.

"Just because water has receded, does not mean carriageways are safe. Signs will remain in place until assessments are carried out by council staff. We appreciate your patience," it stated.

Road closures Friday, March 11:

A major multi-agency operation was carried out in Singleton on Thursday to resupply isolated communities in the area.

Two helicopters departed Singleton on Thursday morning stocked with food and pet supplies, medication and other items to deliver to the isolated communities of Putty and Mount Royal.

"These communities have been isolated for over a week from flooding caused from continued rainfall. They have also been without power and on limited communication," Singleton SES Unit said.

"Getting food, animal supplies medication and other items to people who have been feeling the effects of being isolated due to flood water for over a week. This was a massive multi agency process and we are so thankful for everyone who played a part, big or small, in making this happen.

"With the assistance of the Australian Defence Force, we were also able to go into some more isolated areas to do some welfare checks of the residents and build our intelligence by seeing areas we don't always get to see. We are grateful for their assistance.

"The river is falling slower than events we have seen in the past which means we could still see some of the current road closures and other impacts in place through tomorrow and possibly even into the weekend. We remind everyone to keep an eye on the Singleton Disaster Dashboard for local road closures.

"It's only March and we have already exceeded our total yearly job count from 2020."

10am, Thursday:

Singleton Council has advised that there will be a water shutdown in Henry Drive at Singleton Heights on Thursday.

"[The] council's water and sewer network team are responding to a water leak on Henry Drive," the council said.

"To complete the repair works, we will require to temporarily shut down part of the water main that services the street while repairs are undertaken. Water availability may be impacted to some houses during this time.

"We are working as quickly as possible to make these repairs and we apologise to all affected residents for the interruption and thank you for your patience."

9.30am, Thursday:

Roads affected by flooding

Report road issues to (02) 6578 7290.

9am, Thursday:

Floodwaters were slowly receding in Singleton on Thursday after peaking in the early hours of the morning.

The Hunter River at Singleton peaked at 13.16 metres around 7pm on Wednesday and fell below the major flood level around 8am Thursday.

The river level is currently at 12.99 metres and falling, with moderate flooding.

The river is likely to remain above the moderate flood level (11.50m) through to Friday morning, the Burau of Meteorology said.

An evacuation order remained in place for Glenridding, Dunolly, Combo, Whittingham and Scotts Flat as of 7.30am, but that was being re-assessed as the water level continued to drop.

The NSW Bureau of Meteorology has withdrawn a severe weather warning for the region.

3pm, Wednesday:

Major flooding is occurring along the Hunter River at Singleton with a major flood peak expected Wednesday evening.

While rainfall has eased, the Bureau of Meteorology said the river may peak near 13.40 metres (major flood level) around 6pm. The BOM has predicted a river peak of 13.8m on Thursday morning.

As of 1.30pm, the Hunter River at Singleton was at 13.10m and rising.

Video footage of the Hunter River shot by Geoff Stevenson on Wednesday morning:

12pm, Wednesday:

Access to residents only in some areas of Singleton

Singleton Council said officers from Hunter Valley Police District are checking the addresses on drivers licences prior to allowing access to motorists in evacuated areas and some local roads that are closed.

The council said access to some areas, including Simpson Terrace, Dunnolly Bridge and the Bridgman Road intersection on the New England Highway, is available to residents only.

"Motorists are advised to obey all road closure and detour signage and instructions from the NSW Police Force, and to avoid all unnecessary travel within Singleton to minimise the number of vehicle movements," the council said.

Sewage overflow

Singleton Council said the town's sewerage system is being inundated with stormwater and a number of sewer pump stations may no longer be operational or need to be switched off to protect infrastructure.

"Council is working to deploy temporary infrastructure protection measures to prevent sewer overflows, but we are asking residents and businesses, particularly those in Singleton Heights, Hunterview and Maison Dieu, to please turn off pool backwashing and limit the use of washing machines, showers and toilets to reduce the load on the system until further notice," the council said.

"If the weather conditions continue, there is a possibility that sewage will backup within the system and may overflow at manholes and in backyards.

"It is a timely reminder to not walk, swim or play in floodwater due to the potential for sewage contamination."

10am, Wednesday:

The New England Highway at Singleton Heights is closed.

Singleton Council said crews had closed the New England Highway at Singleton Heights near Pirtek Park.

Diversions will be in place at White Avenue, Singleton Heights.

Dunolly Bridge is also closed, as is The Putty Road.

Video footage of the Hunter River shot by Ian Munz on Wednesday morning:

8am:

The SES said several properties in the Wollombi and Laguna areas have been isolated due to floodwater and road closures.

The region is bracing for forecast major flooding at Bulga and Singleton on Wednesday morning, with moderate flooding expected in the Wollombi and Maitland areas and minor flooding anticipated at Raymond Terrace.

Flooding is affecting low-lying areas around Singleton - particularly Combo, Whittingham and Dunolly.

Read more here.

Wednesday, March 9:

The Bureau of Meteorology [BOM] has issued a warning for major flooding of the Hunter River at Singleton for Wednesday morning.

Moderate to heavy rainfall has been recorded in parts of the Upper Hunter though rainfall is now easing, according to the BOM.

The BOM predicts the Hunter River will peak at 13.5 metres today.

The Bom said: "Moderate flooding is occurring along the Lower Hunter River at Singleton. The Hunter River at Singleton is expected to exceed the major flood level (13m) around 10am Wednesday. The river level may reach around 13.80m around 6am Thursday morning, with major flooding."

According to Singleton SES, sandbags are still available from the Singleton Council carpark.

The SES posted to Facebook this morning to offer handy tips on how to place sandbags effctively.

The following the following NSW public schools will not be open on Wednesday:

The SES has issued evacuation orders for low-lying areas surrounding Singleton as flood waters on the Hunter River continue to rise on Tuesday, March 8.

Residents in Combo, Glenridding, Dunolly, Whittingham and Scotts Flat were directed to evacuate the high danger area at approximately 7pm.

The SES said residents and businesses within the low lying areas of Combo should evacuate by 8pm.

The affected areas include low lying areas of Combo and all properties south of the Hunter River on Combo Lane, and East of Bridgmam Rd, between the New England Highway and Acacia Cct.

The SES said once floodwaters pass 12.20 metres on the Singleton gauge Combo roads will begin to close.

Residents are directed to use the following evacuation route to move to safety outside the flood affected area:

The SES is directing people along the Hunter River within Glenridding and Dunolly residents to evacuate the high danger area.

The SES said once floodwater passes 12.80 metres on the Singleton gauge at Glenridding and Dunolly roads will begin to close.

The areas affected include low lying areas of Glenridding and Dunolly in the following streets;

The SES directed residents to use the following evacuation route to move to safety outside the flood affected area:

The NSW SES is directing people along the Hunter River within Whittingham and Scotts Flat to evacuate the high danger area.

Once floodwater passes 11.00 metres on the Singleton gauge at Whittingham and Scotts Flat roads will begin to close.

The areas affected include:

The SES directed residents to use the following evacuation route to move to safety outside the flood affected area:

Singleton residents are bracing for major flooding of the Hunter River from the early hours of Wednesday, March 9, with a predicted peak of 13.80 metres possible by Thursday morning according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

Major flooding has also occurred along the Wollombi Brook at Bulga.

The BOM forecast the major flood level of 13 metres could be reached by early Wednesday morning.

A number of roads and bridges across the Singleton the region have also been closed due to heavy rainfall and localised flash flooding following the closure of the town's flood gates by Singleton Council.

"With rain continuing, stormwater is likely to back up across low lying areas," the council said.

The council said crews have closed Bridgman Road in Singleton Heights.

"Northbound traffic trying to access Singleton Heights, Hunterview and rural areas beyond Bridgman Road should use the alternate route," the council said.

"Access starts at Boundary Street, followed by Queen Street, Dyrring Road, Retreat Road and then onto Bridgman Road."

A full list of road closures is available at the Singleton Council Disaster Dashboard.

The BOM said moderate to heavy rainfall has been recorded in parts of the Upper and Lower Hunter River catchment since Sunday.

Further moderate rainfall is forecast for the remainder of Tuesday, which is resulting in renewed rises along the Hunter River, Goulburn River and Wollombi Brook.

Multiple flood peaks have been observed travelling down the Goulburn River, Hunter River, Wollombi Brook and local tributaries and the BOM said these peaks are likely to combine to cause major flooding at Singleton.

Minor flooding is no longer likely in the Upper Hunter, however rises are still possible with further rain forecast from Tuesday into Wednesday.

A separate warning is current for the Paterson and Williams Rivers.

Singleton Council advised of the following road and bridge closures on Tuesday:

Issued by Bureau of Meteorology at 6:50pm on Tuesday, March 8

Major flooding is occurring along the Wollombi Brook at Bulga. Moderate flooding is occurring at Wollombi.

The Wollombi Brook at Wollombi may reach around 11.00 metres overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, with moderate flooding.

The Wollombi Brook at Bulga is currently at 6.79 metres, which is above the March 2021 peak (6.63 m), and rising with major flooding. The Wollombi Brook at Bulga may reach around 7.20 metres Wednesday morning, with major flooding.

Minor flooding is occurring along the Lower Hunter River at Maitland, Singleton and Raymond Terrace. Major flooding is likely at Singleton and moderate flooding is likely at Maitland.

The Hunter River at Singleton is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (11.50 m) around 07:00 pm Tuesday. The river level is likely to exceed the major flood level (13.00 m) early Wednesday morning and may reach around 13.80 metres Thursday morning, with major flooding.

The Hunter River at Maitland (Belmore Bridge) is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (8.90 m) Wednesday morning. The river level may reach around 9.80 metres Thursday evening, with moderate flooding.

The Hunter River at Raymond Terrace may reach around 2.80 metres 07:00 am Wednesday, slightly after the high tide, with minor flooding. Further rises are possible.

Minor flooding is unlikely along the Upper Hunter River at Muswellbrook, Aberdeen and Denman. Minor flooding is not expected at Scone Kingdon Ponds. Renewed rises are possible with forecast rain though.

In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring NSW SES on 132 500.

For more emergency information, advice, and access to the latest river heights and rainfall observations and forecasts: