If you’re living on Australia’s east coast, get ready for some wild weather!
Severe thunderstorms are predicted to hit Queensland, Victoria, NSW, the ACT, and Tasmania in the coming days, bringing heavy rain and damaging wind gusts of over 100km/h.
When and Where to Expect the Storms
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning for severe thunderstorms to affect the east coast on Tuesday evening, with the storms likely to start on Monday evening in central Queensland and move south to Tasmania.
Areas in NSW, including Hunter, Illawarra, South Coast, and Central Tablelands, are particularly at risk.
What to Expect from the Storms
These severe thunderstorms can cause damage to power infrastructure, leading to blackouts, and may bring heavy rainfall, damaging wind gusts, and large hailstones.
In fact, hail has already been reported over the Queensland/NSW border region over the weekend.
Flash Flooding a Major Concern
The heavy rainfall across the coast over the past week has left the land saturated, increasing the risk of flash flooding and sharp rises in river levels.
Residents are urged to prepare for road closures and damage to structures.
How to Stay Safe
If you’re in an area affected by the severe storms, make sure to:
- Keep away from fallen power lines
- Stay clear of creeks and storm drains
- Avoid flood waters
- Call triple-0 in an emergency
Stay Informed
To stay up-to-date with the latest severe weather warnings, visit bom.gov.au
What’s Next?
The storms are expected to subside overnight on Monday, but will return on Tuesday evening with another round of rainfall.
While the chance of rain is reduced in Victoria and Tasmania, it’s still important to be prepared and stay informed.
Stay safe, Australia!