Australia braces for ‘once in a generation’ rain event threatening major floods
Australians must brace for “once-in-a-generation” rain, with heavy downpours, thunderstorms and flash floods threatening parts of the country.
A slow-moving system over the outback is causing a broad band of moisture across South Australia, western Victoria and western and southern New South Wales, which will cause significant rainfall, flooding and heavy showers in some areas.
“Essentially this is a once-in-a-generation rain event. The heaviest rain since 2011 is on the cards for multiple regions,” Sky News senior meteorologist Rob Sharpe said.
The weather also turned deadly on Sunday when a 47-year-old motorcyclist was stranded trying to cross the flooded Fodgen creek at Eurelia in the Southern Flinders Ranges.
The flooding follows prolonged dry conditions inland, which could lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding in parts of South Australia.
“Many areas have seen totals rise above 50 millimetres, even approaching 100 millimeters in some places, causing significant flooding,” Mr Sharpe said.
A low pressure system moving south and south-east has led to a severe weather warning by the Bureau of Meteorology for possible heavy, locally heavy rainfall in parts of the Riverina and south-western parts of the Upper and Lower West regions.
Dangerous flash floods are likely to occur in the far southern parts of South Australia’s Lower West and south-western Riverina regions from Sunday night.
Areas that may be most vulnerable to heavy rainfall and flash flooding include Deniliquin, Broken Hill, Hay, Wentworth, Menindee and Balranald.
As heavy rains continue, flood warnings have been issued for the BOM and Lower Murrumbidgee River catchments in Far Western New South Wales.
It is stated that the peak of the event will be on Sunday.
Storms and prolonged rain are expected to be concentrated east of Adelaide and just outside the metropolitan area.
Significant rainfall is possible across Victoria, particularly in the north-west, starting late Sunday. The suburb of Horsham received 126mm of rain between Friday morning and Sunday morning.
After gaining strength over Victoria, the rain band will move eastwards and weaken over central New South Wales with scattered showers early next week.
