Evacuations near Singleton as flooding closes roads

The Golden Highway, between Jerrys Plains and Belford, was closed for traffic travelling both directions due to flooding on Wednesday morning, along with a section of Putty Road at Bulga.

All lanes of Putty Road are also closed between Milbrodale and just south of the Putty township due to a landslide and water on the road.

Also among the closed roads in the Hunter are: Maitland Vale Road near the Luskintyre intersection, Anambah Road at Gosforth, Melville Ford Bridge and Brush Farm Road at Pitnacree.

There is reportedly water on parts of the New England Highway too, according to Singleton Council.

The SES said several properties in the Wollombi and Laguna areas have been isolated due to floodwater and road closures.

The region is bracing for forecast major flooding at Bulga and Singleton on Wednesday morning, with moderate flooding expected in the Wollombi and Maitland areas and minor flooding anticipated at Raymond Terrace.

Flooding is affecting low-lying areas around Singleton - particularly Combo, Whittingham and Dunolly.

An evacuation order was issued for people in the Laughtondale, Singletons Mill, Spencer, Lower Mangrove, Greengrove areas overnight.

An evacuation centre has opened at Singleton Diggers, on Dorsman Drive at Singleton Heights.

Major flooding was initially feared for the Scone area, but that prediction was downgraded on Tuesday night and evacuation advice was overturned.

Weather conditions will keep dozens of schools closed across the state, including several in the Hunter in places such as Singleton, Denman, Dungog, Gresford, Milbrodale and Millers Forest among others.

See the full list of school closures here.

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