NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has declared a state of emergency for flood ravaged Wagga Wagga. Mr O'Farrell visited the south-western NSW town on Tuesday.
He announced on his return to Sydney that following a recommendation from the Natural Disaster Council he had declared a state emergency in what is the state's largest inland city.
About 9000 people have been evacuated from Wagga Wagga with fears the flood levee, the city's last line of defence, will be breached by the Murrumbidgee River later on Tuesday.
The town's CBD will suffer major flooding if this happens and hundreds of homes are in danger of being inundated.
"Since my return, following discussions with the minister for police and emergency services, the government's determined to declare a state of emergency for Wagga Wagga to ensure that the state emergency service and the other emergency service organisations involved have the maximum set of tools available for them to protect life and property," Mr O'Farrell told parliament.
"That decision is based on the continuing concern that flood waters are rising and could spill over the levee or cause the levee to breach later this evening.
"My advice .. is if the levee is breached it may not possible for people to return to town for approximately three days."
The emergency declaration would be rescinded on Wednesday morning if the levee was not breached, Mr O'Farrell said.
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