Australia's east coast is bracing for a severe weather event, with a 'humid and unstable airmass' set to bring heavy rain, flooding, and thunderstorms across multiple states. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued warnings for intense rainfall, which could lead to life-threatening flash flooding in Queensland's west and the central Northern Territory (NT).
The impact of this weather system is already being felt in some areas, with Northern Queensland experiencing rainfall totals of up to 100mm on Saturday. Central Queensland has been soaked with rain since December, and numerous flood warnings are in place for rivers like the Flinders and Cape Rivers. A remote NT community, Alpurrurulam, recorded an astonishing 250mm of rainfall over Friday night and Saturday morning, more than double the community's monthly average and its biggest downpour in over a decade.
The storms could bring damaging winds of about 90 km/h, threatening cattle and other livestock. The warning stretches from Mount Isa and Bedourie in Queensland to Tennant Creek and Yuendumu in the NT. The weather system is expected to connect with a cold front pulling moisture south, leading to widespread heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over the north of South Australia (SA).
Australia's southern states will not escape the wild weather, with rising moisture and humidity closer to the coast in SA and Victoria expected to bring rain by late Sunday. This is the first significant rain forecast for the bushfire-affected states since December. Bushfires are still burning in Victoria, with an evacuation warning issued for a 1,100ha fire at Gaffneys Creek and the A1 Mine settlement, in heavily forested areas near Woods Point north of Melbourne, on Sunday.
The Victorian State Control Centre warned that wet and windy conditions on Sunday could bring damaging winds and heavy rainfall, with localized totals of up to 60mm. 'There is a risk of flash flooding today in areas that receive this heavy rain and especially in places that have recently been burnt by bushfire,' it said. 'If you are near a recent fire-affected area, please be aware of the high likelihood of landslides and debris flow.'
This severe weather event highlights the importance of staying informed and prepared for potential hazards. As the saying goes, 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.' So, make sure to check the weather forecast regularly and take necessary precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
