13 Feb 2020 | 08:16 AM UTC
Australia: Weather warnings issued for New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory February 13-14 /update 2
Weather officials issue warnings for areas in New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory between February 13-14; heavy rain, strong winds, thunderstorms, flooding, and associated disruptions expected
Event
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued several weather warnings for part of New South Wales (NSW) state and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) on Thursday, February 13, through Friday, February 14. According to BoM forecasts, severe thunderstorms will affect northeast and southern inland NSW, as well as southwestern ACT, producing heavy rain that may lead to flash flooding in the coming hours. At 13:32 (local time) on Thursday, the BoM issued flood warnings for a number of rivers along the NSW coast. More information can be found on the BoM NSW website here.
The BoM also issued a warning around 17:00 on Thursday for Ex-Tropical Cyclone Uesi, which is located at approximately 26.6°S 160.6°E (map here) with sustained winds near the center of 95 kph (59 mph) with wind gusts up to 130 kph (81 mph). Uesi continues to move south-southwest at 28 kph (17 mph), and is forecast bring destructive winds with gusts over 100 kph (62 mph), heavy rain, and damaging surf conditions to Lord Howe Island (NSW) on Thursday through Friday morning. The BoM said that Uesi is expected to maintain an intensity equivalent to a Category 2 tropical cyclone as it passes the island.
Queensland Police confirmed one fatality on Thursday due to flooding on the Sunshine Coast (Queensland). Emergency personnel were unable to carry out search and rescue operations on Thursday to find a missing individual in the Gold Coast's Tallebudgera Valley due to flood waters.
Associated flooding, landslides, transportation and business disruptions are anticipated, as well as disruptions to power and communication services, in the coming hours and days.
Advice
Individuals in affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, avoid areas directly affected by flooding, confirm road conditions and flight reservations before setting out, anticipate transportation and business disruptions, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities. Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult.
