NSW floods: Farmers swamped after 35,000 mega litres of water released from dam

By Eryk Bagshaw
Updated October 1 2016 - 1:13pm, first published 12:16pm
Neil Mattiske with his daughter Joanne and grandson Riley on their flood affected farm near Forbes  Photo: Wolter Peeters
Neil Mattiske with his daughter Joanne and grandson Riley on their flood affected farm near Forbes Photo: Wolter Peeters
Roc Walshaw, Forbes Local Controller  Photo: Wolter Peeters
Roc Walshaw, Forbes Local Controller Photo: Wolter Peeters
Neil Mattiske with his daughter Joanne and grandson Riley look out to their canola field Photo: Wolter Peeters
Neil Mattiske with his daughter Joanne and grandson Riley look out to their canola field Photo: Wolter Peeters
NSW SES crews prepare to transport communication equipment to outlying areas surrounding Forbes.  Photo: Wolter Peeters
NSW SES crews prepare to transport communication equipment to outlying areas surrounding Forbes. Photo: Wolter Peeters
A heavy shower of rain over flooded Lake Forbes Photo: Wolter Peeters
A heavy shower of rain over flooded Lake Forbes Photo: Wolter Peeters

More than 246 properties evacuated, 97 flood rescues, 181 families stranded on inland islands, and tens of millions of dollars in losses to local businesses throughout central NSW.