Aussies braced for weather chaos, as millions told to work from home and schools closed amid blackouts
One state is experiencing record breaking floods, as emergency services in other regions battle bushfires and the fallout of extreme winds.
Environment
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NSW firefighters are battling multiple bushfires, as strong winds hit southeastern parts of the country, while Tasmania experiences record-breaking floods.
The wild weather comes as one woman was killed near the NSW-Victoria border after a tree fell on her cabin.
A bushfire burning near an evacuated gas storage plant north of Newcastle in the Port Stephens LGA was at emergency level on Monday afternoon.
It has since been downgraded to watch and act after strong wind gusts fanned the smoke across the greater Sydney area
A bushfire burning near an evacuated gas storage plant north of Newcastle has been downgraded to watch-and-act status, as strong wind gusts fanned blazes across the greater Sydney area.
NSW Rural Fire Service confirmed the fire is burning in an easterly direction under westerly winds from Old Punt Rd towards Tomago Rd.
The alert level was downgraded as about 140 firefighters were able to hold the fire along Tomago Rd.
“People along Tomago Rd and Westrac Dr are advised to monitor conditions as the situation may change,” the authority stated.
Meanwhile, Tomago Rd remains closed at the intersection of Cabbage Tree Rd and Masonite Rd and the Old Punt Rd roundabout.
DAMAGING WINDS
It comes as damaging wind warnings remain in place for parts of the south east.
Overnight, Port Phillip Bay recorded winds of 141km/h.
Bureau meteorologist Sarah said wind gusts of 90km/hr were still be observed in some areas.
“A severe weather warning for these damaging winds (remains) in place which extends from far eastern parts of SA, through Victoria and up into parts of eastern NSW through to the Hunter (Valley),” she said.
“It will gradually ease from the east... late tonight.“Wwe also have the coastal hazardous warning for central and western coastal areas, with possible coastal erosion.”
However, the strong conditions are expected to ease early Tuesday morning.
RECORD BREAKING FLOODS
Ms Scully said rain was also starting to ease across Tasmania, after the state battle the brunt of the wild weather.
“The showers across Tasmania are starting to become more isolated as we move into tonight and tomorrow,” Ms Scully said.
“This is significant because we have minor to major flooding in parts of Tasmania, including the major flooding in the upper Derwent (River).”
The river is currently peaking at 8.2m, breaking previous flood records.
“It’s higher than the floods they experienced in 2016, and even 1980,” Ms Scully said.
“The fact we’re starting to see showers ease is great news as we’re starting to see waters make its way down stream.”
THOUSANDS WITHOUT POWER IN TASMANIA
Thousands of Tasmanians have been left without power, with TasNetworks reporting long delays as more than 10,000 customers are affected by power outages across the state.
Evacuation warnings have also been issued for parts of the state, with residents in the Derwent River, Meadowbank to Macquarie Plains and Styx River, Bushy Park to Macquarie Plains and surrounds have been urged to evacuate now by Tasmania SES.
Tasmania SES executive director Mick Lowe said the SES had received more than 340 requests for assistance in the past 24 hours, with minor injuries to SES volunteers reported.
“That is significant for a small jurisdiction like ours. We have had to be very careful,” Mr Lowe said.
“It’s been very dangerous and challenging conditions for our amazing volunteers that are out there responding to the community. We have had to restrict some of their actions to keep them off roofs during the high-wind events. But thankfully, there’s been only been a couple of minor injuries for SES personnel.”
The SES has had to triage phone calls but Mr Lowe assured the community all outstanding calls are being worked through.
Evacuation centres remain open at the Derwent Valley Sport and Recreation Centre on Derwent Terrace in New Norfolk and the Memorial Hall in Circle Street, with Mr Lowe warning houses in rural communities will become “isolated” over the next 24 to 48 hours.
“If you haven’t already left the area – consider going to stay with family or friends. Make the decision as early as possible as parts of the Lyell Highway and Glenora and Boyer roads may become flooded,” Mr Lowe.
“While the Upper Derwent Valley remains the focus of an evolving emergency, other watch and act warnings are also in place for areas in the south, west, north west and north.”
Mr Lowe said it’s “crucial” for people to “make informed decisions and prioritise their safety”.
“If you’re out on the roads, the message is simple – if it’s flooded, forget it. Never enter or drive through floodwaters,” he said.
People in affected areas have been advised to use flood emergency plans, and if safe to do so move livestock to higher ground, place furniture and possessions high on tables and benches, have an emergency kit available and be ready to leave.
Mr Lowe said the SES received 347 requests for assistance in the 12 hours to 5.10am on Monday morning as peak wind gusts reached 157km/h at King Island airport and 130km/h at Launceston Airport.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported major flooding is “likely” below Meadowbank dam on Monday morning, while moderate flooding is already underway at Macquarie Plains, with more possible at Ashton.
“Heavy rainfall in the last few days in the River Derwent catchment, has resulted in river level rises across the catchment. Further showers are forecast for the remainder of Monday, which will lead to further river level rises,” the Bureau of Meteorology warning states.
“Significant flows are occurring along tributaries of the River Derwent downstream of Macquarie Plains. Elevated river levels and flooding are occurring along streams and creeks of the Plenty River, Lachlan River, Glen Dhu and Sorell Creek.”
Moderate flood warnings have been issued for the Mersey River, Meander River, North Esk River and South Esk River, while minor flood warnings are in place for the Forth River, St Patricks River, St Pauls River, Macquarie River, as well as flood warnings for the Isis River, Lake River and Brumby’s Creek.
Flooding is likely to continue across the west, north, northwest, and parts of the northeast rivers.
HUNDREDS UNABLE TO MAKE PHONE CALLS, SCHOOLS CLOSED
Meanwhile, almost 700 Victorians have been left unable to make or receive phone calls.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed some Telstra fixed line customers were affected, with Government Services Minister Gabrielle Williams working with telco and power companies to resolve this.
Ms Allan also revealed 180,000 people across the state lost access to power as of 6.30am on Monday, with that figure dropping to 121,000 as of about 10.30am.
“Crews are out there on the ground right now working as quickly as they can but also only working in areas where it’s safe to do so to restore power as quickly as possible,” Ms Allan said at a press conference on Monday morning.
More than 660 properties have been damaged as a result of the weather, with Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent revealing some of the homes are “inhabitable”.
Mr Nugent also said the SES had received more than 2800 requests for assistance between 7pm on Sunday and 10am on Monday, with 1452 requests remaining active about 10.30am Monday.
Schools across Victoria have been forced to close as watch and act alerts were issued for strong and destructive winds.
Kilbreda College, Balcombe Grammar School, Killester Springvale, St Helena Secondary College in Eltham, and Yarra Ranges Special Development School have all closed for the day as wild winds lash the state.
Ms Allan acknowledged the employers who allowed workers time away from work to help the “huge volunteer effort” working to keep the community safe.
The Bureau of Meteorology has updated its warning as of about 10.30am, confirming there are warnings in place for more localised destructive winds.
The announcement follows widespread power outages that left more than 90 intersections across the state without power and brought trains to a halt.
The Sandringham Line is down, with buses replacing trains between Sandringham and South Yarra.
There are delays of up to 15 minutes on the Frankston, Cranbourne, Pakenham and Craigieburn lines after earlier disruptions, while V/Line trains aren’t operating between Southern Cross and Bairnsdale.
A coach service is available between Bairnsdale and East Pakenham, where commuters can then board trains.
Building damage on High Street in Armadale has also affected route 6 trams, which is not operating in some sections.
Watch and acts have also been issued across Melbourne and suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula to Wilsons Promontory, the North east ranges, the South West Coast and the Macedon Ranges, as destructive wind gusts of up to 130km/h are forecast.
Wind gusts of 146km/h were recorded at Wilsons Promontory lighthouse over the last 12 hours.
Victorians across those areas have also been urged to steer clear of beaches as conditions will be dangerous, with the potential for low-lying areas to flood due to abnormally high tides.
“A vigorous west to north-westerly airstream is in place ahead of the front, shifting west to south-westerly following its passage. The strength of these winds aloft, combined with scattered lines of showers and a few thunderstorms will continue to bring damaging winds to parts of the state today,” the Bureau of Meteorology website states.
The northeast ranges are tipped to reach wind gusts of up to 130km/h on Monday, while east Melbourne could reach up to 110km/h early on Monday morning.
West Melbourne could reach similar wind gusts of 110km/h around exposed coastal areas, with south-westerly winds with damaging gusts of 90km/h predicted further inland.
Victorians in affected areas have been urged to avoid travel if possible and pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and flood water if driving conditions are dangerous.
Loose items should safely secured while cars should be moved under cover or away from trees.
Staying indoors away from windows is advised, while Victorians have been reminded to stay away from fallen power lines and to always assume they are live.
Heavy rainfall could also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads, with people urged to take caution.
FLIGHTS CANCELLED, BUSHFIRE ERUPTS
A bushfire has broken out in Sydney’s south amid an extreme fire danger warning and fire bans across NSW.
The Princes Highway has been closed in both directions between Sublime Point and Appin Rd in Maddens Plains in the Illawarra region after a bushfire erupted on Monday.
Commuters have been urged to allow extra travel time, with traffic being diverted to Appin Rd near the Bulli Lookout.
The fire is now at advice level after firefighters — with the assistance of water bombing — managed to downgrade the fire from “out of control” to “under control”.
Two eastbound lanes on the M4 remain closed after a grass fire broke out at Erskine Park.
The fire reportedly broke out near Roper Rd at Erskine Park, with emergency services and traffic crews on site.
The motorway was previously also closed in both directions between Mamre Rd and Wallgrove Rd.
Fire bans are in place for the Greater Sydney region and Illawarra/Shoalhaven as an extreme fire danger warning has been issued for the Illawarra/Shoalhaven area, as above-average temperatures meet windy conditions across the state.
High fire danger ratings are also in place for the Greater Sydney region, Far North Coast and the southwest.
Flights have been cancelled at Sydney airport after the state was forecast to experience its strongest winds yet on Monday morning.
Sydney airport is reportedly operating out of a single runway due to the winds.
A Sydney airport spokesperson confirmed there may be some delays.
“Due to high winds, Airservices Australia are operating our east-west runway, which may cause some delays throughout the day,” the spokesperson said.
“We encourage passengers to check with their airline regarding the status of their flight.”
The winds have also caused power outages across the state, with Endeavour Energy confirming 34,000 homes and businesses have been affected.
More than 80 incidents reportedly require repairs, with the potential for more outages as damaging winds take down trees and powerlines.
A woman has also died near the Victoria-NSW border after a tree fell on a cabin near Albury in south NSW.
Emergency services were called to Merool Rd in Moama about 3.50am after reports a tree had fallen on a cabin.
Officers found the body of a 63-year-old woman.
A 63-year-old man was treated by paramedic for injuries to his right hand.
He was taken to Echuca Hospital for further treatment.
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS HIT SA
Damaging wind gusts of up to 100km/h are forecast across South Australia as showers and thunderstorms are predicted.
Potential affected areas include Mount Gambier, Kingscote, Naracoorte, Victor Harbor, Meningie and Bordertown.
Gusts of 107km/h were recorded at 11.52pm on Sunday at Cape Jaffa, with the SES advising people to move vehicles under cover and away from trees, secure loose items on properties, and stay indoors away from windows.
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