Urgent storm warning for central and south NSW including Orange, Bathurst, Katoomba and Parkes

Australia
By William

Emergency warning for residents of densely populated regions of NSW to get their cars undercover NOW – with a severe thunderstorm set to hit

  • Severe storms for central west and southern NSW

By Ashley Nickel for Daily Mail Australia

published: | Updated:

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm emergency warning for a significant portion of NSW – warning some residents to unplug their electronic devices and move their cars away from trees and power lines as soon as possible.

In a statement, the BOM warned that a vast swath of the state – from just south of Newcastle and the Central Coast to areas northwest of Parkes in the central west – is expected to see heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hailstones on Thursday night. .

Meanwhile, Sydney is likely to be battered by rain with a possible chance of a thunderstorm, especially in the west.

It follows intense storms in Canberra and Melbourne around 9am.

Regions in the Central Tablelands and parts of Hunter, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina and Lower Western districts are expected to be hit by severe storms (pictured, a map showing the warning areas in yellow)

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm alert for parts of central and southern NSW (photo, Thursday afternoon rain radar)

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm alert for parts of central and southern NSW (photo, Thursday afternoon rain radar)

Regions subject to the emergency alert include the Central Tablelands and parts of Hunter, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina and Lower Western districts.

“A surface trough passing through central and eastern parts of the state is producing thunderstorms this afternoon, with a chance of severe storms tonight because of an approaching upper-level trough,” the Bureau said.

“Individual severe storms are also approaching the NSW/Victoria border.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to bring heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding, damaging wind gusts and large hailstones in the warning area in the coming hours.

“Locations that could be affected include Gosford, Bowral, Orange, Bathurst, Katoomba and Parkes.”

Sydney itself has been kept out of the emergency warning zone but could feel the storm’s aftereffects later this evening.

Residents in the warning zone have been advised to move vehicles under cover or away from trees, secure loose items outside, and stay away from creeks and storm drains that could be prone to flash flooding.

As of 3pm Cowra, about 90km south of Orange, recorded the highest rainfall in Australia for Thursday at 55mm.

Residents in the warning zone have been warned to move their vehicles inside or away from trees and to stay away from areas prone to flash flooding

Residents in the warning zone have been warned to move their vehicles inside or away from trees and to stay away from areas prone to flash flooding

SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY ADVICE:

  • Move your car under cover or away from trees.
  • Secure or store loose items around your house, garden and balcony.
  • Keep at least 8 meters away from fallen power lines or objects that may be under tension, such as fences.
  • Report power line failures to Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavor Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your utility bill.
  • Trees damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall over.
  • Stay away from creeks and storm drains.
  • Do not walk, cycle or drive through floodwaters. * If you are trapped by flash floods, take refuge in the highest place available and call 000 if you need rescue.
  • Keep in mind that rainfall runoff in fire-affected areas may behave differently and be faster. It can also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
  • After wildfires, heavy rainfall and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to an increased likelihood of landslides.
  • Disconnect computers and devices.
  • Avoid using the phone during the storm.
  • Stay indoors, away from windows, and keep children and pets inside as well.
  • Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Please note that the landscape may have changed after forest fires.
  • For flood and storm emergency assistance, call the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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