Source: Bureau of Meteorology
For people in Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Snowy
Mountains and parts of Mid North Coast, Hunter, Central Tablelands,
Southern Tablelands and Australian Capital Territory Forecast
Districts.
Issued at 3:43 pm Tuesday, 26 December 2023.
Severe thunderstorms continue from the Sydney region to the Mid
North Coast. Heavy rainfall building in the southeast.
Weather Situation:
A low-pressure system situated in the southwest of the state and
its associated front lies over the South West Slopes and Plains. A
trough then extends further north along the Great Dividing Range to
the Queensland border. A humid and very unstable airmass along and
to the east of the trough, supported by strong upper winds, will
cause the development of severe thunderstorms this afternoon.
Storms are generally forecast to move to the south and
southeast.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, heavy
rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds in the
warning area over the next several hours.
Locations which may be affected include Taree, Newcastle, Gosford,
Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra and Goulburn.
4 to 5 cm hailstones were reported in the Rutherford and Maitland
area between at 1:30 and 2 pm.
Willina (near Forster) recorded 48mm in the 30 minutes to
3pm.
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.
26/Dec/2023 04:53 AM