Source: Bureau of Meteorology
for HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL
For people in Central Tablelands and parts of Hunter, Illawarra,
Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West
Slopes and Plains and South West Slopes Forecast Districts.
Issued at 1:36 pm Sunday, 18 February 2024.
HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL OCCURRING ACROSS CENTRAL EASTERN
NEW SOUTH WALES.
Weather Situation: Slow moving severe thunderstorms are developing
in a humid and unstable airmass along the Great Dividing Ranges
this afternoon.
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally
intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening
flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central
Tablelands, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands and Central West Slopes
and Plains districts. Locations which may be affected include
Orange, Bathurst, Katoomba, Blayney, Trunkey Creek and
Taralga.
Elsewhere in the warning area, severe thunderstorms are likely to
produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the
next several hours in the Central Tablelands and parts of the
Hunter, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and
Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains and South West Slopes
districts. Locations which may be affected include Orange, Mudgee,
Bathurst, Katoomba, Goulburn and Wellington.
44 mm recorded at Orange Airport in the 1 hour to minutes to 1:20
pm.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest
available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may
behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris
such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the
ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of
landslides.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets
indoors as well.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape
may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and
ACT) on 132 500.
18/Feb/2024 02:53 AM