“I spoke to someone from the other side of town – her normal way in was cut off and she had to get across paddocks to get to the [high-level] bridge and into town … the low-level bridge has been underwater for probably most of this year.”

The cold blast was felt across parts of Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and the ACT. Even a light dusting of snow was reported in South Australia and up to 35 centimetres fell in the Snowy Mountains. In the NSW Central West, residents in Blayney, Bathurst, Yetholme and Oberon took to social media to share photos of the irregular spring snow on Wednesday morning, which comes less than a month away from summer.

Local member for Bathurst Paul Toole encouraged residents to remain updated on road closures as snow began to build. “Stay safe on our roads this morning,” he wrote on his personal Facebook page. “Snow, ice and flooding all around.”

Meanwhile, the search for two men who went missing in floodwaters in the Southern Tablelands continues. Police were told the ute had tried to cross a flooded causeway at Prestons Creek and was swept away. Two men managed to free themselves from the car, but another two men – who were believed to have been travelling in the tray – have not yet been located.

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The NSW SES has responded to 664 requests for assistance in the 24 hours to mid-morning on Wednesday and conducted 29 flood rescues. The agency’s key areas of concern include Walgett, Bourke, Forbes and Hay.

Several areas remain on high alert, with parts of Wagga Wagga urged to prepare to evacuate.

The recent deluge comes as the weather bureau said the wet summers may be drawing to a close, with the most recent La Nina event likely to break down early next year. Australia has experienced 19 La Nina events since 1900 and 12 have coincided with flooding in eastern states. The average rainfall from December to March in La Nina years is 20 per cent higher than the long-term average.

Meteorologists warn that the coming summers could see Australia return to El Nino conditions, which would bring about the increased risk of drought and bushfires.