Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 8:23 am Monday, 10 February 2025.

INTENSE RAINFALL POSSIBLE WITH STORMS OVER MUCH SOUTHERN INLAND NSW.

Weather Situation: Thunderstorms are forming on a surface trough in a moist unstable airmass in inland NSW, assisted by an upper trough moving across the state.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones over the next several hours in the Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains and parts of the Hunter, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina, Lower Western, Upper Western and South Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Orange, Goulburn, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga and Cobar.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS may possibly produce intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes and Riverina districts. Locations which may be affected include Orange, Bathurst, Wagga Wagga, Young, Gundagai and Junee.

47.6MM OF RAINFALL WAS OBSERVED AT MURRUMBURRAH (HISTORICAL SOCIETY) IN THE 30 MINUTES TO 6:27AM.

28 MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT GOULBURN (POMEROY) IN THE 30 MINUTES TO 5:15AM.

45 MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT MOUNT PALMER IN THE 30 MINUTES TO 1:25AM.

21.2 mm of rainfall was recorded at Dalton (Hillview) in the 30 minutes to 4:11am.

27.4 mm of rainfall was recorded at Junee Treatment Works in the 30 minutes to 2:13am.

27.6 mm of rainfall was recorded at Argalong (Sandy Creek) in the 30 minutes to 1:20am.

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.