A major storm spanning the east coast of Australia is expected to inflict havoc on millions, with flood-ravaged towns prepared for yet another natural disaster.
Several flood warnings have been issued throughout New South Wales, with south-east Queensland also in the crosshairs.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning that heavy rainfall and storms will continue to batter the coast of New South Wales from the Hunter area to the Northern Rivers on Thursday night and Friday.
The bad weather will prevent many families from traveling during the school holidays that begin this weekend in New South Wales.
Residents of Lismore, who have been ravaged by two flooding incidents this year, are advised to prepare for further rain, as a minor to moderate flood warning has been issued for the Wilsons River in their city.
A major storm spanning Australia’s east coast is expected to inflict devastation on millions, with flood-ravaged towns bracing themselves for yet another natural disaster.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued a warning that, depending on the location and intensity of precipitation, Friday and the weekend could see rainfall totals exceeding moderate.
Over the next 24 hours, 80 to 120 millimeters of precipitation are predicted to fall on areas of the Mid-North Coast, while severe weather warnings have been issued for the Northern Rivers.
The forecast also calls for isolated precipitation of up to 200 mm.
In the past twenty-four hours, locations from Grafton to Coffs Harbour have received 100 mm of precipitation, while the Mid-North Coast has received 180 mm.
SES Commissioner Carlene York stated that there have already been 49 rescues and over 500 calls for assistance during this flood episode.
In addition, a moderate flood warning has been issued for the Nambucca River at Bowraville on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales.
Wee Waa, a village in the northwest of the state, has already been impacted by flooding, with helicopters dropping off supplies.
The NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Steph Cooke, issued a flood season warning on Thursday, stating that it marked the beginning of a “very lengthy season.”
She stated, “We are facing problems on numerous fronts due to extended floods in the west and northwest of New South Wales and fresh river rises in the Central West and southern parts of the state.”
Residents in Lismore, who have been devastated by two flooding storms this year (seen in March), have been warned to prepare for more rain.
Flood-weary towns in Northern Rivers, Mid-North Coast, and North Coast face an uncertain couple of days due to deteriorating weather conditions.
Since Thursday morning at 9 a.m., more than 50 mm of rain has already fallen in parts of New South Wales.
Ms. Cook expressed confidence that emergency services were able to handle the flooding.
Jane Golding, a BOM meteorologist, stated that flash flooding is probable between the Central Coast and the Queensland border.
Golding stated, “We expect places to receive 24-hour totals of more than 100 millimeters, but there will be a few “bullseyes” with totals higher than that, where flash floods will occur.”
This amount of precipitation will cause rivers to rise, road puddles, and hazardous driving conditions. The earth is so drenched across the entirety of New South Wales that we should expect trees to fall due to the current high gusts.
On Thursday, up to 80 flights were canceled at Sydney Airport owing to the terrible weather.
Between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., 45 flights out of Sydney were canceled due to severe rain and high winds, the airport said.
In addition, up to 41 flights into Sydney have been canceled, which is terrible news for those planning to take advantage of Thursday’s National Day of Mourning.
Normal operations were expected to resume by Thursday afternoon.
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