Great Wall of Blair St: The sandbag wall on Blair St. Photo: Josh Huntly
Far from waiting for the impending Murray River peak to take its course, Moama’s residents continued flood preparations with gusto well into Thursday.
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Community spirit was at a high, as the town prepared for the Murray River’s expected peak, which is now expected to fall on Saturday at a revised AHD (Australian height datum) of 95.6m, down from the previous mark of 95.9m.
With 40 to 60mm of rain forecast in tandem with the peak, however, flood operations are yet to slow in Moama despite nearly a week of preparation, with emergency services personnel and locals whizzing around town.
Silent: The Kerrabee Soundshell is now cut off by flood waters. Photo: Josh Huntly
Despite the mountainous supply of sandbags already produced at Jack Eddy Oval for five days straight — which on Tuesday totalled 125,000 — approximately 100 volunteers were still at work on Thursday churning them out.
Among them were students from St Joseph’s College who on their Year 12 celebration day sprung into action assisting at various sites around town, including the Jack Eddy sandbag site.
Helping hand: Year 12 students from St Joseph’s College roll up their sleeves on celebration day, helping out with flood preparation. Photo: Nicole McCormick
From COVID-19 to the 2022 floods, local students have navigated a plethora of challenges over the past three years, and with final exams coming up, their efforts to assist the community were greatly appreciated.
Bags have been distributed to local properties and businesses, including several on Meninya St. The river has risen into several business car parks.
Rising: The Murray River behind Moama Dental Clinic. Photo: Josh Huntly
On Blair St, the rise of the Murray River has been slow and consistent, providing the best indicator of what is to come.
The Kerrabee Soundshell and adjacent playground now lie partially submerged, where two days earlier the area remained dry.
A metre-tall sandbag wall placed on the road between the rising floodwaters and Murray River Holiday Park currently provides a barrier between the township and the Murray.
And while it may pale in comparison to the massive levees constructed in Echuca and Moama, it has been crafted by a steady stream of volunteers into a buffer that, to Thursday afternoon, had withstood the Murray’s test so far.
Better by boat: A Moama resident paddles down the now flooded Blair St. Photo: Josh Huntly
In Moama’s east, works continued on the town’s flood levee, which had been heightened in response to predictions of a one-in-1000-year flooding event.
Road closures are currently in effect from Barnes Rd.
Now the Murray River is expected to reach heights not seen since 1993.
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