Rivers flowing but homes, roads, train lines flooded in heavy NSW rain

Residents in western NSW are rejoicing after dry river beds began flowing during heavy weekend rainfall but floods have also wreaked havoc in the region, inundating homes, roads and train lines.

Flooding in Narrabri Source: Facebook: Fire & Rescue Narrabri.

While the weekend's wild weather in Sydney forced evacuations, toppled powerlines and left more than 100,000 people without electricty, further west, communities were rejoicing as drought and fire-affected regions were drenched.

Rivers that looked like dust-bowls just a few weeks ago are flowing again, as elated locals celebrated and kids enjoyed splashing in puddles and playing in the mud.

Although much-needed, the big wet has also wreaked havoc on homes, roads and train lines over the weekend.

On Saturday the SES Narrabri Unit said they had responded to 24 requests for assistance overnight.

"Who would have thought you could go from drought to flooding in a day," they posted on social media.

While Fire and Rescue in Narrabri helped evacuate residents to higher ground after streets were inundated with rising flood water.

Residents in Narrabri are now being told to boil their drinking water after the town's water supply was contaminated by flood water.

The boil water notice will remain in place until Tuesday.

Trains from Armidale to Sydney were cancelled when rail lines were inundated with flood water at Werris Creek and Narrabri.

North of Tamworth, roads were closed due to flooding. Traffic in both directions was affected on the Oxley Highway between Tamworth and Gunnedah.

At Appleby on the Manilla road, it was the same story.

Flooding also affected the Gwydir Highway near Collarenebri. 

The Bureau of Meteorology said showers are expected to continue in western NSW over the next few days.