A severe weather warning for the Riverina and South West Slopes has been issued as the region stares down the barrel of a weekend that could bring flooding.
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Residents across the region are being advised the Murrumbidgee River could reach major flood levels as storms approach.
State Emergency Service volunteers began filling sandbags on Wednesday, following the first Bureau of Meteorology issued Flood Watch.
A third statement was released on Thursday, with catchments across the Murrumbidgee River likely to experience “moderate to major flooding” across 48-hours from Friday.
Heat is about to give way to days of heavy rain, thunderstorms and potential for flash flooding as more than 100mm falls on the region. However, this could be more than double in localised areas.
Residents are urged to prepare for the freak weather event.
The heaviest falls are expected to hit in the latter half of the day on Friday and throughout Saturday.
Localised falls have the potential to reach more than 200mm over the 48 hours, particularly closer to the Victorian border.
Record-breaking heat to give way to 200mm downpours, in NSW, Victoria
The entire state of Victoria and large parts of South Australia and New South Wales are on flood watch as an unprecedented wet weather system looks to smash through the recent record-breaking heat.
Southern and eastern Australia is about to cop a lashing from Mother Nature, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) advises, with falls of up to 200mm predicted in parts of Victoria and western NSW.
Severe thunderstorms are expected in South Australia late on Thursday and into Friday, bringing with them damaging winds, hail and heavy rainfall up to 100mm.
As the system moves into Victoria and NSW, that predicted rainfall only gets higher.
"The system will ramp up over Victoria and western NSW on Friday and into Saturday with rainfalls of 100-200mm expected in these areas, particularly those areas closer to the ranges,” BoM senior forecaster Scott Williams said.
“Peak falls in the northeast of Victoria could top 300mm over the 48 hours to Saturday night.
"Melbourne is likely to see at least 50 to 100mm of rainfall and severe thunderstorms overnight Friday into Saturday. There is a chance that heavy rain could return to the Melbourne area on Sunday, possibly delivering another 50mm or more.”
The entire state of Victoria is the subject of an initial flood warning, while much of southern NSW is also on flood watch.
"Southern parts of NSW and the ACT could see falls in excess of 100mm on Friday and Saturday with some places seeing 200mm,” Mr Williams said.
The weather could hit Canberra but at this stage is unlikely to impact Sydney.
"Rainfall rates could be quite intense," said James Taylor, a senior meteorologist with the BoM's extreme weather desk. "There's some risk of riverine flooding."
"To get a rainfall event like this at any time of the year of the year is certainly unusual," Mr Taylor said, adding that spring is the most likely season for such weather.
In Wagga, where it’s expected to receive 50mm on Friday and 80mm on Saturday, the State Emergency Service (SES) called for extra volunteers to help fill sandbags on Wednesday night after a flood watch was issued for the Murrumbidgee River.
Acting SES regional controller for Murrumbidgee Jon Gregory said the alert could be best described as a “heads-up”.
“It’s not a bulletin or warning. It’s advice that there could be minor to moderate flooding, depending on rainfall,” Mr Gregory said.
With Victoria under a severe weather warning, the SES isn’t taking chances.
Bendigo SES deputy controller Natalie Stanway said residents should prepare their properties before the rain hits.
“If that volume of rain comes down with blocked gutters, water can come into ceilings, so it is well worth (clearing gutters) and checking down pipes before the rain starts,” she said.
“If like last Sunday, we received something like 37 calls in a short space of time, it is not possible for us to get to everybody.
“So people need to prepare to take steps themselves.”
In Tasmania, where the BoM has predicted November would be a record-breaker with some of the hottest average maximum temperatures, the start of summer is going to come as a shock.
“The maximum temperature will be over ten degrees colder in some places on Friday compared to Thursday,” Weatherzone meteorologist Graeme Brittain advised.
“So make the most of the last few days of spring, for summer will begin on a very different note.”
WATCH: BoM senior meteorologist Adam Morgan explains how the wild weather will come in.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- Don't walk, ride or drive through flood water
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks
- Be alert that in areas recently affected by fires, heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads
Warnings current at 10.30am Friday, November 30
Source: Bureau of Meteorology
NSW
- Flood watch for Bell, Belubula, Murrumbidgee, Upper Murray and Snowy Rivers: Local and minor to moderate riverine flooding may develop along the Murrumbidgee River from Friday onwards. Southern and central districts forecast to receive the most rain, with some areas likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall during Friday and Saturday. The Upper Murrumbidgee catchment is wet following rainfall in the last two weeks. Potential to cause minor to moderate riverine flooding as well as local flooding from Friday onwards.
Victoria
- Initial flood watch for Victoria: Heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms are likely to develop in the far west during Thursday night before extending across the remaining parts of the State during Friday. The heavy rain and thunderstorm activity will continue on Saturday. Three day totals of around 60-120mm are expected south of the Divide and over the far northwest with totals of between 100 and 200mm over remaining areas on and north of the Divide. However, totals over the northeast ranges may exceed 250mm.
- Catchments likely to be affected: Snowy River, Tambo River, Mitchell River, Avon River, Macalister River, Thomson River, Latrobe River, Traralgon Creek, South Gippsland Rivers, Bunyip River and Dandenong Creek, Yarra River, Maribyrnon River, Werribee River, Barwon, Leigh and Moorabool Rivers, Hopkins River, Lake Corangamite, Otway Coast, Upper Murray and Mitta Mitta Rivers, Kiewa River, Ovens and King Rivers, Broken River, Broken Creek, Seven and Castle Creeks, Goulburn River, Campaspe River, Loddon River, Avoca River, Wimmera River
- Severe weather warning for heavy rainfall: Heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms which may lead to flash flooding are likely to develop in the far west during Thursday night before extending across the remaining parts of the state during Friday. The heavy rain and thunderstorm activity will continue on Saturday. Three-day totals of around 60-120mm are expected south of the Divide and over the far northwest with totals of 100-200mm for remaining areas on and north of the Divide. However, totals over the northeast ranges may exceed 250mm. Locations which may be affected include Mildura, Horsham, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.
