Update 17 November 2022 (1.00pm)
Current River height: 9.08m and falling slowly. River peaked at 9.11m yesterday. Water levels in both Booligal and Maude are being monitored and assistance provided where required. The water is slowly rising in Maude and steady in Booligal. We are expecting large inflows from the lower Mirrool Creek and Lachlan River over the coming days and weeks.
Rainfall: This week’s forecast still looks favourable, however, expecting further showers/rain on the weekend.
Predicted River Peak: The BOM website advice is the river will stay above major flood level this weekend (8.0m). We anticipate further peaks over the next few weeks. The 1974 peak was 9.02 and the 2012 peak was 8.99m. Crews are sandbagging as required and topping up levees if needed. Crews have been busy today inspecting local levees. A reconnaissance of Booligal has been undertaken this morning, including survey checks, with some minors works being undertaken as required, including deployment of sandbags. Additional sandbags being taken to Maude this afternoon, and there are empty sandbags available in front of the store and the sand is located near Short Street for residents of Maude to use.
Flood Levee: Closed off 27 flood gates and have 39 pumps in Hay and 2 pumps in Maude set up accordingly to remove any water from rainfall. Flood gates and drainage pipes will be continued to be closed as the river level rises, and will be opened as allowed as the river falls. We ask for patience as staff start pumps to remove water built up from any rainfall, especially if have there is short sharp rainfall event.
Council crews: Continuing to monitor the levees and inspecting known hot spots, as well as providing assistance where possible, and have staff patrolling 24hrs a day. You will continue to notice Council staff patrolling the town, checking and running pumps.

Road Closures:
The following roads are closed due to water over road, however local residents can still access with caution;
Old Thelangerin Road
Alma Road
Daisy Plains Road
Booligal Gunbar Road
Boxyards Road
Nap Nap Road
Hay Weir Road
Ti-Tree Road
Sidonia Road
Lara Road
Romani Road
Jerilderie Road
Murrumbidgee River Road
Wongalea Road
Belaley Road
Yurdyilla Road

Water over road Drive with Caution;
Midwestern Highway
West Burrabogie Road
Glenhope Road

Closed to all traffic:
The Maude Road between Hay and Maude is closed.
The Maude Road is closed between the Sturt Highway and Maude Township.
Cobb Highway north of Booligal is closed.
The Sturt Highway is closed from Darlington Point to Gum Creek (approximately 30km’s west of Darlington Point)
The Sturt Highway is also closed to Balranald.

We remind people to drive to the conditions and that water can create hidden hazards on the roads.
If you require flood assistance please contact SES on 132 500.
Please do not attempt to cross or drive through floodwaters or along/across the top of the levee bank system.
Please only rely on official advice provided by the SES and/or Hay Shire Council.
Council will provide regular updates as further information comes to hand.

Again, a big thank you to the Hay Shire Community, volunteers, SES, RFS, FRNSW and Police for their assistance in keeping the community safe. Your efforts filling and distributing sandbags is most appreciative.