Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in South West Slopes and parts of Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, Riverina, Illawarra, Lower Western and Snowy Mountains Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:06 pm Saturday, 7 December 2024.

Severe thunderstorms continuing across south east NSW.

Weather Situation: A warm and humid airmass combined with a trough of low pressure is generating severe thunderstorms this afternoon.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the South West Slopes and parts of the Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, Riverina, Illawarra, Lower Western and Snowy Mountains districts. Locations which may be affected include Orange, Bathurst, Yass, Parkes, Wagga Wagga, West Wyalong, Tumbarumba, Griffith and Narrandera.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce large, possibly giant hailstones, damaging, locally destructive winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the South West Slopes and parts of the Southern Tablelands, Riverina, Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains and Snowy Mountains districts. Locations which may be affected include Wagga Wagga, Tumbarumba, Crookwell, Cootamundra, Gundagai, Tumut and Junee.

115 km/h wind gust was recorded at Griffith at 3:16 pm.

90 km/h wind gust was recorded at Yanco at 3:32 pm.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.