With continuous rain overnight, Bega Valley is bracing for difficult conditions as the forecast continues for more rain, heavy at times, throughout the day.
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Although the Bureau of Meteorology downgraded last night's prediction of up to 200mm for Bega to between 100-150mm for Tuesday, it increased the certainty from 95 per cent to 100 per cent. Likewise the 250mm predicted for Merimbula has moved to between 120-200mm.
But with the rainfall that has already been received the ground is likely to be soaked and unable to absorb much more leading to flooding in places.
Since Saturday morning Bega has received over 90mm and Merimbula 105mm to 9am Tuesday morning but in both cases most fell in the period between Monday and Tuesday.
Merimbula had 86mm in the period between 9am Monday and 9am Tuesday while Bega had 44mm in the same period.
At Nethercote 90mm were recorded from 6.30pm on Monday to 8.30am on Tuesday.
The rain radar continues to show large areas of heavy rain, much of it further north but moving south. Predictive rain maps show the heaviest rain sitting over the Bega Valley until late this evening.
On Monday afternoon council announced it would open a trench between Merimbula's Back Lake and Short Point.
Council warned that following opening, strong currents and formation of a deep channel can be expected so people should avoid the area.
"We will continue to monitor other estuaries in the Bega Valley with managed entrances which are currently closed, including Wallagoot Lake, Cuttagee Lake and Lake Curalo," council said.
A 1.6m tide is expected at Merimbula's Main Beach at 5.20am Wednesday. Swell is expected to increase on Tuesday evening to a very rough 5m.
Flood / wet weather road closures - updated 23 March 9am
East Street and Jacksonia Grove, Bega - Closed
Poplar Avenue, Bega - Closed from the Apex Park car park through to Kirkland Avenue intersection
Murrays Flat, Taraganda - Closed
Jaunceys Bridge on Angledale Road, Angledale - Closed
Buckajo Road, Buckajo - Closed from Grosses Creek Bridge to Daisy Hill Road
Causeway on Tarlingtons Lane, Tantawangalo - Closed
Causeway on Church Lane, Tantawangalo - Closed
Pretty Point Bridge, New Buildings Road, Wyndham - Closed
Millingandi Short Cut, Millingandi - water over road - drive safely
Boggy Creek Road, Millingandi - water over road - drive safely
Wandella Bridge, Wandella Road, Wandella - Closed
Brittens Bridge, Tantawangalo Lane, Tantawangalo - Closed
Corner of Parrabel Street and Angledale Road, Angledale - Closed
Carp Street at Kisses Lagoon, Bega - water over road - drive safely
Tathra Bermagui Road, Tathra - at the front of the Country Club - water over road - drive safely
Bega Street, Bega - behind the Bega Recreation Ground - Closed
General Closures - updated 21 March
Welshs Road, Wandella - Flood related damage
Mariah Creek Bridge, Pericoe Road, Pericoe - Bushfire related damages
