Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Southern Tablelands, Riverina, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and parts of Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Lower Western and South Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:16 pm Saturday, 13 January 2024.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS APPROACHING YASS FROM THE SOUTHEAST, WITH LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL, DESTRUCTIVE WINDS AND GIANT HAIL POSSIBLE.

Weather Situation: A trough of low pressure combined with a moist, unstable atmosphere is triggering severe thunderstorms.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the Southern Tablelands, Riverina, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and parts of the Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Lower Western and South Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Canberra, Goulburn, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Griffith and Hay.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging, locally destructive winds, large, possibly giant hailstones and heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Southern Tablelands district. Locations which may be affected include Yass.

59.6 mm of rainfall recorded in the 1 hour to 5:04 pm at Lake Burley Griffin.

49.8 mm of rainfall recorded in the 2 hours to 5:05 pm at Quenbeyan (Hindmarsh).

44 mm of rainfall recorded in the 30 minutes to 4:45 pm at Tuggeranong.

Cherry Flat (Cooma) recorded 28.0 mm in the 30 minutes to 2.53 pm.

Bondo (Cooma) recorded 34 mm in the 30 minutes to 3.19 pm.

Benefield (Cooma) recorded 27 mm in the 30 minutes to 3.27 pm.

Koolaroo (Cooma Creek) recorded 33 mm in the 30 minutes to 3.34 pm.

Booligal recorded 32 mm in the 30 minutes to 3.46 pm.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* 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.