Source : Perth Now news
Australians should brace for “once in a generation” rain with heavy showers, thunderstorms and an increasing threat of flash flooding threatening parts of the country.
A slow moving system hovering over the outback is bringing a widespread band of moisture across South Australia, western Victoria and western and southern New South Wales that will create significant rainfall, flooding and intense downpours for some regions.
“Essentially this is a once-in-a-generation style rain event. The heaviest rain since 2011 is on the cards for multiple regions,” Sky News senior meteorologist Rob Sharpe said.
The weather has also turned deadly, with a 47-year-old motorcyclist washed away after attempting to cross the flooded Fodgen’s creek in Eurelia in the Southern Flinders Ranges on Sunday.
The deluge follows long term dry conditions in the inland regions which, for some districts in South Australia, could lead to dangerous and life threatening flash flooding.
“Many areas have seen totals pushing above 50 millimetres even closing in on 100 in some locations as well and it’s causing significant flash flooding,” Mr Sharpe said.
The southward and southeast moving low pressure system has led to a severe weather warning by the Bureau of Meteorology for heavy, locally intense rainfall possible in parts of the Riverina and southwestern parts of the Upper and Lower Western districts.
From Sunday night, dangerous flash flooding is most likely in the far southern parts of the Lower Western and southwestern Riverina regions of South Australia.
Areas that could be most vulnerable to intense rainfall and flash flooding include Deniliquin, Broken Hill, Hay, Wentworth, Menindee and Balranald.
Far Western New South Wales has also been issued a flood warning by the BOM, and in Lower Murrumbidgee River catchments, as heavy rainfall continues.
The peak of the event is indicated to be on Sunday.
Storms and prolonged rain are expected to intensify in Adelaide’s east, and just outside the metropolitan area.
Significant rainfalls could sweep through Victoria, particularly its north-west, beginning late Sunday. The suburb of Horsham has received 126 millimetres of rain between Friday morning and Sunday morning.
After the rain band gains strength over Victoria, it will move eastwards only to weaken over central New South Wales with scattered showers early next week.
