'Life-threatening' flood warning as heavy rain set to continue across far north and southeast

Thunderstorms across Australia's eastern seaboard including Sydney's outskirts may bring flash flooding as some rural residents remain isolated by floodwater.

Two girls watch as storms roll in.

A severe weather warning was issued for multiple parts of the Top End. Source: AAP / Neve Brissenden

Heavy rain is set to continue across Australia's far north and southeast, bringing potentially life-threatening floods.

Multiple flood warnings have been issued across NSW, the Northern Territory's northwest, Victoria and southern Queensland.

Sydney's outer west was part of a severe thunderstorm alert issued on Wednesday afternoon covering a swathe of northern and central NSW, including Katoomba, Orange and Dubbo.

Eyes were also on towns in and west of the Australian Alpine region, where storms and heavy rain were possible but intense deluges no longer likely.
Flood damaged furniture and belongings line houses.
Far north Queensland may be at the mercy of another cyclone with a tropical low set to intensify. Source: AAP / Brian Cassey
Six-hourly rain totals of 50-80mm were likely, with motorists between Melbourne and Sydney possibly affected.

"The main risk associated with this storm is localised heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding and damaging winds," the State Emergency Service said.

In the Top End, a severe weather warning was issued on Wednesday morning for Daly, Tiwi, Arnhem, Gregory and parts of Carpentaria, Barkly and Tanami districts.

Locations possibly affected included Darwin, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Palmerston, Jabiru, Maningrida, Wadeye, Wurrumiyanga and Nauiyu.
In Western Australia, warnings were issued for severe thunderstorms in the Kimberley region while 22,000 people in the Perth Hills and wheatbelt remain without power after storms tore down hundreds of poles and wires on Tuesday.

"The damage area is massive, with seven transmission lines out of service," Western Power acting chief executive Jacqui Hall said.
Wokers help clear up storm damage
Wokers help clear up storm damage in Mount Tamborine, Queensland. Source: AAP / Jono Searle
The bureau has also warned there is a significant risk of a cyclone again impacting far north Queensland next week.

The region is already recovering from record flooding caused by Cyclone Jasper just weeks ago.

It is bracing for another cyclone after a tropical low developed off Cairns.

The low is set to stay offshore this week, developing into a cyclone by Monday and is a chance of tracking back toward the Queensland coast.

"There is a significant risk that this system will impact the Queensland coast during next week - a severe impact is possible," the bureau's website said.

Coastal areas between Cooktown to Mackay may be impacted by late Tuesday.

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Published 17 January 2024 9:15pm
Updated 17 January 2024 9:22pm
Source: AAP



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