Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Hunter, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains and South West Slopes Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:40 pm Sunday, 18 February 2024.
Severe thunderstorms ongoing across central eastern parts of the state.

Weather Situation: Slow moving severe thunderstorms are ongoing in a humid and unstable airmass along the Great Dividing Ranges this afternoon.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Scone, Nowra, Goulburn, Dubbo, Coonabarabran and Wellington.

59 mm recorded in 2 hours to 1:42 pm at Orange Airport
34.5 mm recorded in 1 hour to 3:40 pm at Prossers Crossing
34 mm recorded in 1 hour to 2:45 pm at Hampton (Bindo)
32 mm recorded in 30 minutes to 4:07pm at Bowral (Orchard Street)

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover.
* 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.