Millions of residents along Australia's eastern seaboard have been placed on high alert as a powerful superstorm brings a severe cocktail of hazardous surf, damaging winds, and potential flash flooding.
Severe Weather System Intensifies
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued a series of urgent warnings as the intense weather system bears down on New South Wales. Sweltering heat has been abruptly replaced by heavy rainfall and strong winds along the state's south coast, impacting the Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, and Snowy Mountains regions.
On Saturday, forecasters warned that showers and isolated thunderstorms would deliver heavy rainfall to parts of Greater Sydney. The areas of Penrith, Parramatta, and Springwood were specifically put on high alert for flash flooding as the wild weather continued to unfold.
Coastal Dangers and Widespread Impacts
A hazardous surf warning is now in effect for the Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans, and Eden coasts. NSW Police have urgently advised the public to reconsider entering the water and to avoid walking near surf-exposed areas. Rock fishers have been told to avoid coastal rock platforms and seek safe, sheltered locations.
Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury stated, 'Severe storms remain possible across eastern NSW on Saturday and in some areas on Sunday, with continued risks of heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hail.' She added that these severe storm areas are expected to become less widespread early next week.
The BoM also warned of damaging east to south-easterly winds for mountainous areas around the Snowy Mountains and Southern Tablelands. Rainfall projections are significant, with three-day totals of 60mm to 120mm possible along the southern and central NSW coast up towards the Hunter, and some locations potentially nearing 200mm by midday Monday. Heavy rain is likely to persist along the NSW South Coast for much of the coming week.
Cyclone Threat in the North and Victorian Clean-Up
Meanwhile, in the Northern Territory's Top End, residents are monitoring a developing tropical low. The BoM has issued an emergency warning for heavy rainfall which could cause flash flooding in the Daly, Tiwi, and Arnhem districts, with isolated falls exceeding 140mm possible. There is a 60 per cent chance the system could reach cyclone strength off the Kimberley north coast by Wednesday.
This new emergency follows recent devastation in Victoria, where clean-up efforts are ongoing after torrential rain last week. More than 178mm of rain fell in six hours in parts of the Great Ocean Road region, causing the Wye, Kennett, and Cumberland rivers to overflow. The extreme event swamped campgrounds, displaced around 200 locals and holidaymakers, and led to dramatic scenes of people entering floodwaters to recover vehicles. Lorne recorded its highest 24-hour rainfall since 1884.
Sky News meteorologist Marina Neuman indicated the storm threat would continue along the coast and could potentially reach as far as Brisbane. Authorities are urging all communities to stay updated with the latest warnings via the Bureau of Meteorology and their local State Emergency Service.
