Australia Braces for Widespread Flooding and Severe Thunderstorms
Australia is currently experiencing a severe weather event, with heavy rain and dangerous flash flooding expected to sweep across central and southern regions. Thunderstorms are forecast for parts of every state and territory, posing significant risks to communities and infrastructure.
Critical Warnings for Queensland and the Northern Territory
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued urgent warnings for life-threatening flash flooding in central Queensland and the Northern Territory. Intense rainfall could lead to 24-hour totals of up to 160 mm, with damaging winds of about 90 km/h threatening livestock and property. Areas from Mount Isa and Bedourie in Queensland to Tennant Creek and Yuendumu in the NT are particularly at risk.
Central Queensland has been saturated with rain since December, resulting in numerous flood warnings for rivers such as the Flinders and Cape Rivers. The ground is extremely wet, and river systems are swollen, exacerbating the flood threat.
Record Rainfall and Remote Community Impacts
In the Northern Territory, the remote community of Alpurrurulam recorded 250mm of rainfall over Friday night and Saturday morning. This amount is more than double the community's monthly average and represents the biggest downpour in over a decade, according to Weatherzone.
Northern Queensland saw rainfall totals of up to 100mm on Saturday, contributing to the ongoing deluge. The weather system, driven by a strengthening tropical low, is expected to move into north-west New South Wales by Monday, potentially bringing further floods.
Southern States Face Humid Conditions and Bushfire Risks
Southern Australia is not spared from the wild weather. South Australia and Victoria are experiencing unusually humid conditions, more typical of tropical regions, which are set to bring rain by late Sunday. The BoM warns that this humidity, combined with a cold front, will produce widespread heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over northern South Australia.
Victoria, still grappling with bushfires, faces additional threats from this weather. An evacuation warning has been issued for a 1,100-hectare fire at Gaffneys Creek and the A1 Mine settlement near Woods Point. Wet and windy conditions could lead to damaging winds, heavy rainfall up to 60mm, and a high risk of flash flooding and landslides in fire-affected areas.
Broader Impacts and Safety Concerns
The storms and flooding are expected to cause blocked roads, rising rivers, and disruptions across South Australia and the Northern Territory from Sunday until at least Wednesday. This marks the first significant rain forecast for bushfire-affected states since December, adding complexity to emergency responses.
Residents in affected regions are urged to stay informed through official channels and take necessary precautions. The combination of saturated grounds, swollen rivers, and intense rainfall underscores the severity of this weather event, with potential impacts on agriculture, transportation, and public safety nationwide.
