There's a State Emergency Service vehicle at every turn and a line of Rural Fire Service trucks and volunteers ready to go.
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Flooding equalling 2016 levels is now predicted for Forbes and downstream this week, and the community is preparing.
There's been a steady stream of vehicles queuing for sandbags from the SES Depot on School Road all day Sunday, and SES and RFS volunteers as well as community members have rolled up their sleeves to fill them.
Thousands of sandbags have been filled and distributed, and there are more than 300 SES volunteers in town.
If you need sandbags, please attend the depot on the corner of School Road and Farnell Street or phone 132500 to request assistance.
Road closures are one of the first impacts Forbes residents can expect from the flooding: the Eugowra Road (Escort Way) has now closed, and there is already water over other local roads.
The Cowra road (Lachlan Valley Way) will be next impacted at various locations, and numerous local roads will be cut as flood waters rise.
Doorknocking of homes likely to be impacted was beginning on Sunday when the Advocate dropped into the emergency centre for an update.
At this stage, the teams are advising residents of the impending impacts and gathering data on their plans, local SES controller Roc Walshaw says.
"More than 100" homes are impacted at this stage, but those numbers will firm up as the flood situation develops.
Lachlan SES is also encouraging people through their social media pages to make their plans if they are in low-lying or flood impacted areas, relocating animals and possessions and planning for evacuation or for potential isolation due to floodwater.
They're asking people to consider whether they can relocate to friends and family.
Once a formal evacuation order is issued the community evacuation centre will be at St Andrew's Church Harold Street, Forbes (next to the council chambers).
In the Sunday afternoon Flood Bulletin, the Lachlan River has peaked at Cowra with moderate flooding.
The flood height predictions for Forbes and Jemalong will not be made until the peak is observed at Nanami but that peak is expected to arrive in Forbes Tuesday morning and at Jemalong during Wednesday.
Lachlan SES advises communities downstream of Forbes including at Cottons Weir, Jemalong and to Condobolin should begin re-stocking food, medicines and other critical supplies ahead of the forecast major flooding.
Red Bend Catholic College has advised the school community through its Facebook page that it will close from Monday morning, with students advised to check email and / or SchoolStream for more information.
Road closures
While the Advocate will endeavour to keep information up to date, the below closures are as of Sunday afternoon and the following sites will be kept updated:
As of 4pm Sunday
Road closures:
PINNACLE ROAD - CLOSED water over the road
ESCORT WAY - CLOSED between Eugowra and Forbes
LACHLAN VALLEY WAY - CLOSED AT The Archery Club between Forbes and Gooloogong.
Detours are in place.
Water over road
HENRY LAWSON WAY - water over the road reduced speed zones in place
NEW GRENFELL ROAD - water over the road reduced speed zones in place
BUNDABURRAH CROSSING (Show St/Farnell St) - water over the road reduced speed zones in place
BOXFIELD ROAD - water over the road reduced speed zones in place