Wild east coast weather: The warnings in place, and how to stay safe

These are the precautions residents in rain-battered parts of NSW and Queensland have been urged to take.

A split image. On the left is people preparing sand bags. In the middle is someone walking along a footpath in the rain. On the right is a car in floodwater.

NSW has been battling heavy rain. Source: AAP, Getty

As a storm system continues to hit Australia's east coast, hazardous conditions are being felt across NSW and Queensland.

Waterways are expected to overflow, dangerous winds could uproot trees, and could lead to flash flooding.

These are the safety warnings, and what you need to know to stay safe during and after wild weather.

What are the NSW weather warnings?

A severe weather warning is in place along the NSW coast stretching from Morisset, south of Newcastle in the Hunter, down to Bega on the South Coast and extending west to the Central and Southern Tablelands past Oberon and Goulburn.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) had 47 warnings in place early on Friday afternoon, including a watch-and-act notification for a region from Sydney to the Blue Mountains and south to Batemans Bay.

Minor to major flood warnings are in place on the Hawkesbury, Nepean, Myall, Macquarie, Lower Hunter, Georges and Woronora rivers, with moderate to major flooding likely along the Colo River

On social media, the SES in Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra, Batemans Bay and Goulburn to stay indoors due to damaging winds and "heavy to intense rainfall".
People holding umbrellas walk along a footpath as it rains.
NSW State Emergency Service had 47 warnings in place early on Friday afternoon. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi
Drivers are being warned to avoid non-essential travel as the dangerous storm system travels along Australia's eastern seaboard.

Transport for NSW has also recommended boaters remain ashore until the storm system passes.

In a press conference on Friday morning, NSW Premier Chris Minns said anybody in a flood-prone community should download the Hazards Near Me app and remain alert for updates in the coming days.

"It's most important that you don't take unnecessary risks at the moment, particularly travelling through flood waters," he said.

What are the Queensland weather warnings?

Thunderstorms are forecast to continue in eastern, southern, and far northern Queensland throughout Friday and Saturday.

Flood warnings have been issued for southwest parts of the state, with river levels expected to rise above a moderate level at Charleville later on Friday because of multiple days of heavy rainfall.

Floodwaters are not expected to exceed levee levels at their peak, leaving the town protected from inundation.

A flood watch is also in place for southern inland rivers.
The rain is expected to move further south over the weekend, easing before the weather system moves over the Tasman Sea.

But flood dangers will linger for several days.

The storm has already claimed a life in Queensland after a 71-year-old man was found dead by his ute near Logan early Thursday morning.

Residents in impacted areas are advised to monitor warnings and forecasts.

How you can stay safe in wild weather

Anybody who lives near waterways should always keep informed of weather conditions via the Bureau of Meteorology in case it floods, and follow warnings from emergency services.

Those in flood-prone areas should consider what supplies they might need and keep an emergency pack ready.

Emergency supplies should include medication, a first aid kit, water, clothing, long-life food, batteries, flashlights, candles, rain gear, blankets, and toiletries.
Two women walking outside under an umbrella
Wild storms across Sydney have resulted in people being hospitalised and flights being cancelled. Source: AAP / Steven Saphore
NSW SES advises residents to know the risks associated with storms in their area, put together an emergency plan, prepare and maintain their homes to reduce potential damage and hazards and update insurance policies if necessary.

The SES also says it is important to keep up with weather warnings, know the warning signs of severe weather, and look out for others.

For emergency assistance in NSW or Queensland, contact the SES on 132 500.

For life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

With the Australian Associated Press.

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4 min read
Published 5 April 2024 4:50pm
By Jessica Bahr, Claudianna Blanco
Source: SBS News


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