The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is encouraging communities to be aware of their surroundings as widespread rainfall is forecast for the northern coastline later this week and could cause flash flooding and some renewed riverine rises.
A low-pressure system may affect coastal areas from Thursday, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall, isolated thunderstorms, damaging winds and surf, according to forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Possible 50-100mm daily
Daily rainfall totals between 50-100mm are possible for parts of the Hunter, Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers districts into the weekend, along with damaging wind gusts exceeding 90km/h along the Northern Coastal fringe.
In the central and northern ranges, snow is possible to above 1,000 to 1,300 metres, which may cause disruption to some transport routes due to icy roads outside usual alpine regions.
Significant uncertainty in timing and location
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner, Nicole Hogan ESM, said while there was significant uncertainty in the timing and location of the weather system, the NSW SES was preparing assets and personnel.
‘We are working with the Bureau of Meteorology to monitor the development of the weather system closely and will issue warnings if required,’ she said.
‘Catchments are still wet from recent weather events and may respond quickly to rainfall. Flash flooding and renewed river rises are possible with the forecast rainfall.’
Residents should understand their own risk
Assistant Commissioner Hogan said while the NSW SES continued to monitor the rainfall models, residents should understand their own risk.
‘That means planning what you will do and where you will go if you are impacted by severe weather.
‘We ask everyone to stay informed by downloading the Hazards Near Me app and setting up a watch zone for their area, so you are alerted with the latest warnings and advice.
‘You should also stay across the latest weather updates on the Bureau of Meteorology website.’
If you need assistance from the NSW SES, call 132 500. If it’s life-threatening, always call Triple Zero (000).
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