Source: Bureau of Meteorology
For people in Northern Rivers, Illawarra and parts of Mid North
Coast, Metropolitan, Central Tablelands, Northern Tablelands and
Southern Tablelands Forecast Districts.
Issued at 9:46 pm Monday, 25 December 2023.
Severe storms continue through Illawarra with GIANT HAILSTONES
possible.
Weather Situation: Severe thunderstorms that developed along the
Great Dividing Range are moving into the Illawarra coastline and
will persist into the late evening. In the northeast, severe
thunderstorms continue to develop and are moving to the east
towards the coast.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large to POSSIBLY GIANT
HAILSTONES, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to
flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.
Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Grafton, Coffs
Harbour, Wollongong, Nowra and Katoomba.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Hunter, South
Coast, North West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes and Snowy
Mountains districts and the warning for these districts is
CANCELLED.
114.6 mm was recorded in the 1 hour (and 156.2 mm in the 3 hours)
to 7:15 pm at Eurobodalla
75.0 mm was recorded in the 1 hour to 7:25 pm at Bodalla (Post
Office)
98.8 mm was recorded in the 2 hours to 6:55 pm at Brogo Dam
A wind gust of 103 km/h was observed at Inverell at 5:35 pm.
Giant hail was observed at Orange at around 2:15 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.
25/Dec/2023 11:26 AM