The flood-hit Northern Rivers region is in the firing line for more flash flooding and heavy rain, prompting a warning from the NSW SES.
The SES said anyone planning on travelling to or through the area from Tuesday should be aware of the potential for severe rainfall that could lead to flash flooding.
The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted increasing severe thunderstorm activity across the Northern Rivers from Tuesday.
“A developing low expected to bring significant rain to north-east NSW overnight [and on] Tuesday,” it tweeted on Monday.
“It is expected to ease later in the day. [There is] also a chance of severe thunderstorms with locally heavy rain in the far north-east.”
The warning extends into south-east Queensland, with heavy rain expected to begin late on Monday. Forecaster Weatherzone said Queensland’s Darling Downs, south-east coast and Wide Bay and Burnett districts, and some eastern areas of the Maranoa and Warrego district could all expect drenchings.
“While most of these areas will see accumulated rainfall totals in the order of 10-40 millimetres, some places may pick up 60-120 millimetres by late Tuesday morning,” it said.
“This burst of rain may cause localised areas of flooding, particularly in areas that saw rain on Sunday and Monday morning.
“One area to watch will be the Sunshine Coast region, where some rain gauges collected 50-70 millimetres of rain during the 24 hours to 9am on Monday.”
In NSW, those in the Northern Rivers, Clarence Valley, and Coffs Coast have been urged to weather and road conditions closely.
More than 30,000 people in the Northern Rivers have faced significant flooding events in the past three years since the onset of the prolonged La Nina, with last year’s floods the worst on record.
Five people died when the town of Lismore was inundated in March 2022, damaging 6000 properties with floodwaters reaching 14.4 metres.
Many people are still in temporary accommodation as the region battles to repair after repeated flood crises.
Tweet from @BOM_NSW
On Monday, SES north-eastern zone commander Chief Superintendent Greg Swindells warned flash flooding could happen quickly when heavy rain hit.
“These unsettled weather events can play on people’s anxieties. However, taking the time now to prepare homes, clear your gutters, check on neighbours, stock-up on essentials, whilst also reviewing their emergency plans, will give some sense of control,” he said.
“The NSW SES urges all residents and visitors to consider their travel plans and reminds everyone it is not safe to drive through flood waters anytime, anywhere.”
After last year’s flood emergency in the region, an independent inquiry found the response was patchwork at best, with the federal government urged to take responsibility for the flood gauge network to ensure national consistency with data.
On Monday, the Albanese government said it would spend $236 million in the next decade establishing a national network of flood gauges to protect at-risk communities.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said Lismore would be a focus of upgrades to infrastructure.
Tweet from @BOM_au
Chilly in the south
Further south, a cold snap will bring a wintry change in southern NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.
The BOM has issued a sheep graziers’ warning for the NSW southern tablelands, the ACT and the Snowy Mountains.
“Cold temperatures and westerly winds are expected during Monday night and Tuesday, with showers developing Tuesday evening,” it said.
In Victoria, there is a similar warning for the north, north-east and central and east Gippsland regions.
The weather bureau has also issued a warning for bushwalkers in Tasmania’s western and central plateau regions. Snow is expected to fall as low as 700 metres on Tuesday.
– with AAP
