THE heavens are set to open on Friday, with heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding forecast for the Central Tablelands.
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The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning on Thursday, April 4, for heavy, locally intense rainfall and damaging winds for the Central Tablelands, Sydney, Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands and parts of the Hunter, Snowy Mountains and ACT, beginning on Friday, April 5.
Most of that severe weather warning is in the east of the Central Tablelands including the likes of Bathurst, Lithgow and Oberon.
Heavy rainfall, which will develop on Friday from the late morning, and that may lead to flash flooding in the Central Tablelands.
The bureau is forecasting heavy falls of 20-60 mm of rain for Bathurst, with winds easterly 25 to 35 km/h.
Within the broad heavy rainfall area, locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is possible between the Blue Mountains and Moruya from Friday evening into Saturday morning, with localised six-hourly rainfall totals between 90 to 150 mm possible, reaching up to 220 mm over the Illawarra escarpment.
Severe weather is expected to ease by Saturday afternoon.
A flood watch is current via the bureau website.
Advice on floods from SES
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- 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.
- Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
- Keep at least eight metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
- Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
- 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.
- Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
- For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
