Damaging winds, heavy rain and flash flooding are expected for people in the Hunter, Illawarra and Central Highlands districts from Saturday afternoon until early Sunday morning.
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for regions of NSW as weather conditions across the state are expected to deteriorate with heavy rain, thunderstorms and dangerous flash flooding likely in the next 24 hours.
North-west NSW and south-west Queensland have also been warned of a strong storm with damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain.
Damaging winds, heavy rain and flash flooding are expected in the Hunter, Illawarra and Midlands. (nsw ses)
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is also warning towns along the western NSW-Queensland border to prepare for the storm to develop in the coming hours.
The wet weather has also wreaked havoc in Melbourne, closing roads, submerging cars and caving in roofs, as strong storms moved across the state.
Sydney residents got a brief respite from heavy downpours as more roads that were closed yesterday due to flooding have reopened.
Oxford Falls Road, Wakehurst Parkway, Cambridge Avenue, Cattai Road and Audley Weir were reopened by the NSW Transport Management Center this morning.
Drivers are reminded to use extra care around flood waters and to check traffic information here. Flooded roads reopened as weather conditions are expected to deteriorate across NSW. (New) Wet weather will return to Sydney from this evening. (Wolter Peters)
More storms are coming
NSW Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said the state was “in the middle of two wet weather systems at the moment”.
A trough and cold front is across much of NSW and wet weather is also expected in Queensland and Victoria, which are also bracing for storms and possible flooding.
“Over the next 24-36 hours, we’re likely to see an increase in rainfall in places in the southern interior like Bathurst and also in Sydney,” Cooke said today.
“We expect the weather conditions to deteriorate during this time and on that basis we are asking the communities to cooperate with us.”
The Minister then made particular reference to the communities along the Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers.
River levels have risen in Penrith, west of Sydney. (Supplied) Windsor Bridge has been shrouded in fog this morning amid the risk of minor flooding in Penrith. (Supplied)
The BoM has this morning updated its flood advisory for both waterways from light to moderate flooding.
“We are aware that your communities have experienced four floods in an 18-month period and we recognize the anxiety that some of you will feel,” Cooke said.
“The SES is very well prepared … we have resources pre-positioned across NSW.”
Light flooding is occurring in North Richmond and is possible in Penrith, with renewed light to moderate flooding in Menangle.
Three-day rain forecast until 11 a.m. Sunday, October 9. (weather zone)
Those traveling in the Bathurst 1000 have also been given a harsh reminder as the wet weather continues.
“We know flood waters can rise very quickly, the ground is saturated,” said Deputy Prime Minister, Police Minister and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole.
“If you go into a flood, what you’re doing is not only putting your life and the lives of your passengers at risk, you’re also putting the lives of our emergency service personnel at risk.
“Please don’t take any chances.”
Cars stuck in flood waters after heavy rains in Melbourne
He urged campers not to pitch a tent near rivers or camp under trees and warned of congestion on the Great Western Highway, Princes Highway and the M1.
“Plan your trips, take your time,” he said.
“Drive to the conditions – there will be wet weather.”
Almost 60 flood warnings in place for NSW
Much of NSW is on a flood watch today with the SES issuing 58 flood warnings across the state, stretching from the far north to the Victorian border.
“The areas of impact and concern are Gunnedah, Bathurst, Forbes, Warren and most of inland NSW,” SES Superintendent Josh Clark said.
“Fortunately, so far we have only had 365 requests for assistance in the last 24 hours across NSW, notably four of these have been flood rescues.
“Again, the message is very clear from the emergency services: please, if the road is flooded, forget it. Turn around.”
As of 7am there were 57 flood warnings in place from NSW SES. (NSW SES)
This morning, SES spokesman Jason Simms said the service is also on alert for possible tornadoes.
“The SES has preemptively deployed personnel to various parts of the state within the potentially affected area,” Simms told 9News.
“SES volunteers are on high alert.
“(But) with tornadoes and destructive storms it is difficult to predict and the lead time is minimal.
“As with all severe storms, the best idea is to stay indoors, away from windows, unplug electrical devices and away from downed trees and power lines and clean up your yard.
“Make sure there is no loose material.”
This tornado ripped through a region near Bathurst in October 2021. (9News) A large swath of coast is on alert for strong winds in NSW. (Peter Rae)
The BoM has today issued a high wind warning for the Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast.
Tomorrow it will be extended to Sydney Enclosed Waters, Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast.
Saturday will be a “day of danger” for Sydney and its surrounding areas, according to authorities. (Peter Rae)
Simms said an excess of 50mm of rain could fall around saturated catchments in Sydney, the central west, the Illawarra and the South Coast in the coming days.
Much of the flood risk is in the center and north-west of the state and the SES is issuing 14 “watch and act” warnings across the region.
Bourke is one of the areas on alert, with SES writing: “The Darling River at Bourke is likely to reach moderate flood stage (11.40 metres) around 12-14 October.
“The river level may reach 12.00 meters by the end of October, with further rises possible.”
Flooding is seen on the Silver City Highway south of Packsaddle in inland NSW. (Live Traffic)
The inland city had its wettest October day in 67 years recording 45.4mm.
Weatherzone said an end to the wild conditions is in sight.
“Overlaying this wet week is a broad high pressure system moving in from the weekend, allowing skies to clear and days to warm early next week,” he wrote.
Queensland and Victoria
A trough will move over Queensland from Saturday, which is expected to bring about 40-60mm of rain to some sections of the southeast.
Half a dozen flood warnings have been issued for the Sunshine State.
A flood warning is in place for inland catchments in southern Queensland, along with several flood warnings. (BoM) However, forecasters are keeping a close eye on a strange phenomenon swirling off the coast, said Today weather presenter Tim Davies.
“What’s really worried forecasters this morning is what’s called a ‘cool pool’, this strange weather phenomenon,” Davies explained.
“There’s a section of the ocean off the southeast Queensland side here on the Gold Coast that’s much cooler, below average ocean temperatures.
“That pool is expanding in size and that’s what forecasters are watching very closely.
“What they’re concerned about here is cooler, cooler-than-average water mixing with warmer waters, especially as it starts to warm closer to summer, and that could lead to convection and, of course, an increased chance of flooding.”
Victoria is also bracing for showers and possible thunderstorms later today.
It is expected to last until early 2023.