Long NSW flood clean-up begins

Long NSW flood clean-up begins Mr Abbott is expected to fulfil officials from the State Emergency Service (SES) before helping with the recovery effort. North Wagga Wagga residents were allowed back to their homes during Sunday's daylight hours. Darlington Point, a town with a population of around 1000 people in NSW's Riverina region, was evacuated on Saturday as water levels on the Murrumbidgee River rose. 9 metres and the community experiencing the worst flooding since 1974. The visits come as residents begin cleaning up after the worst floods since 1974. Some properties in Forbes remain flooded and were being inspected again on Monday morning. A spokesman said the evacuation order remained in place on Monday with the river near its peak of 7. Evacuees forced to flee their homes in Wagga Wagga and Forbes - two of the worst affected communities anywhere in the state - have now been allowed back to their homes. NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner, SES Deputy Commissioner Steve Pearce, Griffith Mayor Dom Testoni and local MP Adrian Picoli will also tour flood-affected areas in Griffith and Wagga Wagga. However, the formidable task of getting their houses back in order is just beginning. Forbes, in NSW's central west was also given the all-clear on Sunday and locals were allowed home following a week of evacuations and disruption. The SES said the issue for Narrandera, where a flood warning had been issued, had also now eased and the all-clear had been issued for residents in some streets. Long NSW flood clean-up begins Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 12/03/2012