- The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has warned that severe weather and heavy rainfall in New South Wales could be “dangerous and life-threatening” for people around the Mid-North Coast
- Severe weather warnings have been issued to homes across the northern half of New South Wales and several areas have been directed to prepare for evacuation
- The warnings come as the BoM predicts up to 300 millimetres of rainfall over the next 24 hours in some areas
- North Macksville, which is near the Nambucca River, and Buladelah, just north of Newcastle, are at the highest risk of flash flooding
- Meanwhile, other areas around NSW have been asked to stay home for the weekend to avoid getting caught in flash floods
- Over the past 24 hours, SES crews have already taken on 11 flood rescues
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has warned that severe weather and heavy rainfall in New South Wales could be “dangerous and life-threatening” for people around the Mid-North Coast.
Several severe weather warnings have been issued to homes across the northern half of New South Wales as the BoM predicts up to 300 millimetres of rainfall in the next 24 hours in some areas.
For reference, Sydney typically has around 130 millimetres of rainfall over the whole month of March.
INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding may develop over the Mid North Coast and parts of the Hunter as continued rainfall impacts the region. Damaging wind gusts also possible. Details at https://t.co/RvAmn3Pxog@TransportforNSW @NSWSES pic.twitter.com/tTE23PhiTO
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) March 18, 2021
The BoM also warned of damaging winds averaging between 60 and 70 kilometres per hour with peak gusts of over 90 kilometres an hour.
Further, roads are likely to be cut off by water with the intense rainfall potentially leading to life-threatening flash flooding.
The NSW State Emergency Services (SES) has directed residents in some of the most high-risk areas to get ready for potential evacuation as the risk of flash flooding increases.
These areas include North Macksville, which is near the Nambucca River and Buladelah, just north of Newcastle.
According to the BoM, river catchments are relatively wet across this region, which brings on even further risks of river flooding due to the heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, residents in other areas are being asked to stay at home for the weekend to avoid getting caught in flash floods or travelling through the severe rain.
Over the past 24 hours, SES crews have already taken on 11 flood rescues, with the wild weather predicted to continue on into the weekend.
The SES said it has received over 2000 calls since yesterday, mostly from residents in the Mid North Coast region.
The estimated economic damage from the severe weather is not yet known.