Tuesday, heavy thunderstorms pounded the east coast of Australia, causing flash flooding, power outages, and an estimated 10,000 lightning strikes.
At 9.30 p.m., the south coast airport in New South Wales reported a wind gust of 93 kilometers per hour.
However, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) predicted that the weather will improve by Australia Day.
In Victoria, the state emergency services reacted to hundreds of needs for assistance due to flooding, with Geelong receiving 116 requests alone.
With the rain generating extensive blackouts, more than 6,000 Victorians have been left without electricity in Melbourne.
A warm and sunny day ended widespread thunder, heavy rain, and storms across Sydney and the rest of the state in New South Wales.
More than 6,000 Victorians are without electricity due to severe outages caused by rain.
Western Sydney and the Southern Highlands were severely impacted by powerful winds, rain, and hail, which destroyed numerous suburbs and towns.
The storms in Victoria struck the Bellarine Peninsula at approximately 2.15 p.m. on Tuesday, bringing with them high gusts and a heavy downpour that had soaked the state’s western region earlier in the day.
Mount Gellibrant, 67 kilometers west of Geelong, received 29 millimeters of precipitation in 30 minutes.
At 5 p.m., as the thunderstorms moved to the east, Melbourne was drenched.
Parts of the city were impacted by torrential rainfall, destructive winds, and intense lighting throughout the late afternoon hours.
In 30 minutes, Montrose in the city’s east recorded 23 millimeters of rainfall.
BoM stated that a trough and a “hot, moist, unstable atmosphere” were responsible for the region’s violent thunderstorms.
State Emergency Services storm information
* Move your vehicle into the shade or away from trees.
* Securing or stowing unsecured objects from your home, yard, and balcony.
* Remain at least 8 meters away from downed power lines or energized items such as fences.
*Report downed power lines to Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080), or Evoenergy (131 090), as indicated on your electricity statement.
* Stay away from streams and storm drains.
* You should not walk, ride a bicycle, or drive across floodwater.
* Seek refuge in the highest accessible location if you are stranded by flash flooding, and dial 911 if you require assistance.
Unplug all electronics and appliances.
* During a storm, avoid using the phone.
* Remain inside, away from windows, and keep children and animals inside as well.
* For emergency assistance during floods and storms, dial 132 500 to reach the SES (NSW and ACT).
A broader severe thunderstorm watch is also in effect for portions of the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Central Tablelands, and Northern Tablelands regions of New South Wales.
The state’s emergency services have warned residents of storm-affected areas to remain indoors and away from windows, to avoid travel if possible, and to avoid floodwater, fallen trees, and powerlines.
Wednesday is forecast to be partly cloudy with a high of 28 degrees in Melbourne and Geelong, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
In New South Wales, the Camden neighborhood of south-western Sydney was severely impacted by a storm shortly after 8 p.m., with torrential rain turning streets into rivers and hail coating grassy areas.
Reportedly, golf-ball-sized hail fell in certain suburbs.
The majority of the SES calls in New South Wales were due to leaking roofs caused by the rain.
A SES unit was dispatched to Cox Avenue in Kingswood amid reports that a vehicle had become submerged in flooding.
A representative for the SES stated, ‘By the time the unit arrived, a couple of more vehicles had drove into the same floodwaters.’
Everyone who was in the floodwaters escaped and is now safe.
Storms in Victoria brought gusty gusts and heavy precipitation (pictured)
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