Rain bomb to explode over NSW
A rain bomb has swept through NSW and triggered flooding in parts as the state braces for more than a month’s worth of rainfall in just three days.
NSW
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A rain bomb has swept through NSW and triggered flooding in parts as the state braces for more than a month’s worth of rainfall in just three days.
Thunderstorms lashed much of the state’s coastline on Wednesday, dumping more than 44mm of rain in Central NSW and triggering flooding in the Riverina.
The wild weather caused traffic chaos for commuters and damaged homes and cars, with the State Emergency Service reporting that it attended 130 calls for help.
A dozen children had to be rescued from a school bus in Narrabri after being stranded by floodwaters.
It comes as a wet front driven by a tropical air mass from northern Australia begins soaking parts of NSW as part of a three-day rain event.
The worst of the rain is set to hit on Thursday and Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts, with more than 150mm of rainfall expected in coming days.
The SES is urging people to “be prepared” for flooding and to avoid driving through floodwaters if they come across them.
BOM forecaster David Wilkie said the heavy rainfall was likely to cause dangerous flooding on Thursday.
“We’re really expecting the rain to ramp up so it’s important people keep on top of weather warnings,” he said.
Northern NSW is set to be the worst-affected, with Tamworth, Moree, Inverell, and Narrabri all told to expect very heavy falls.
“These places could potentially see more than a month’s rainfall over the next three days,” Mr Wilkie said.
A severe weather alert was issued for Wednesday for NSW’s North West Slopes and plains, parts of the Mid North Coast, Hunter and the Northern Tablelands.
Areas of heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding are forecast over the Northwest Slopes and Plains from Thursday morning, and extending into the Northern Tablelands during Thursday afternoon.
Sydney could have rainfall reach 35mm to 65mm in total but there are no current severe weather warnings.
Conditions are expected to ease over the weekend.
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