HazardWatch - New South Wales Flood Warnings

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Severe Weather — Watch and Act
Upper Western NSW severe weather - Stay indoors

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NSW State Emergency Service

NSW State Emergency Service

Watch and Act

Stay indoors

Watch and Act

The NSW SES is advising people in the following area(s) to STAY INDOORS due to heavy rainfall, intense rainfall, flash flooding:

  • Tibooburra
  • Broken Hill
  • Wilcannia
  • White Cliffs
  • Wanaaring
  • Menindee
Flooding is occurring along the Silver City Highway and surrounding roads. Roads may be closed in multiple points. Check your whole journey before attempting to travel. With rapid, intense rainfall, creeks and waterways can rise quickly, leaving you trapped or in other dangerous situations.

You should monitor the situation as it is constantly changing.

What are we expecting?

The Bureau of Meteorology advises an extremely humid airmass lies over central Australia, focused around a slow-moving tropical low over the southern Northern Territory. A trough extending into the northwest of NSW is forecast to deepen today, increasing the risk of heavy falls.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast about parts of the Upper Western district, spreading to parts of the Lower Western district during today. Six hour rainfall totals between 30 and 60 mm are likely. 24 hour rainfall totals between 50 and 90 mm are likely, with isolated totals to 130 mm possible.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible with isolated thunderstorms, more likely near the SA border. Isolated six hour rainfall totals of around 90 mm are possible.

There remains uncertainty around the location of the heaviest falls, as well as the future movement and strength of the low pressure system that is driving this weather. Periods of heavy rainfall may affect western New South Wales until the middle of the week.

Flood Watches and Warnings are current for the area. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.

This event may change quickly. NSW SES will monitor the situation and update warnings if the situation changes.

What you need to do:

  • Move or stay indoors clear of windows, bringing children and pets with you.
  • If you must travel, consider the consequences of road conditions and closures and make alternate arrangements for work, children, and travel.
  • Use stairs instead of lifts in severe weather. You may become trapped if the power goes out.
  • If your roof or balcony is struck by a fallen tree/branch or other large debris - stay clear and remain indoors if you can. It may have been structurally weakened, even if there is no obvious damage.
  • Have your emergency kit and grab and go bag handy in case you lose power.
  • If caught outdoors, shelter under sturdy cover away from lightning, hail, falling branches.
  • Stay clear of fallen trees, power lines and damaged buildings.
  • Consider the consequences of road and bridge closures and water over roads and make alternate arrangements for work, children, and travel.
  • Obey all signs about road closures and instructions from emergency services.
  • Never drive, walk, ride through, play or swim in floodwater - it is dangerous, toxic, and may void your car insurance. If it's flooded, forget it. Fines may apply.
  • Avoid storm drains and pipes, ditches, ravines, creeks, and rivers.
  • People in areas likely to be impacted by flooding should raise their assets, including waste and chemical containers above expected flood heights.

For more information:

For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Media enquiries: [email protected] or call 1800 067 234

In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero 000 immediately