Blackouts and flooding as extreme weather drenches three states
Victoria's Gippsland district was already soaked when the latest storms rolled in. Photo: Facebook/Darren Chester
Records are set to be shattered as driving rain soaks three east coast states, posing the threat of flooding on top of blackouts that have left thousands in the dark.
Victoria’s southeast faces major flood threats as the state braces for more rain, while thousands remain without power in Queensland.
The weather bureau has issued a major flood watch for the Avon and Thompson rivers in Victoria’s southeast.
There are moderate flood warnings for the Macalister, Mitchell and Snowy rivers, with minor flood warnings for at least four other river systems across Victoria.
Floodwaters in Gippsland are expected to cause some small communities to be isolated over the weekend, but they are not believed to be at risk of flooding.
The State Emergency Service has received more than 900 requests for help since the beginning of the storm and rain event on Wednesday.
Thunderstorm alerts
Parts of eastern Victoria are likely to record rainfalls of 100mm over the weekend with already saturated areas inundated by 200 to 300mm of rain since Wednesday.
Severe thunderstorms are predicted to continue for much of the country’s east coast.
Queensland is expecting showers and possible severe thunderstorms over most of the state on Saturday, with between five and 25mm of rain due in most places.
Storms knocked down powerlines in the state’s southeast, leaving thousands without electricity overnight, government-owned provider Energex said.
Waiting for electricity
More than 3500 people remain without power as of 8.30am local time with residents in the Sunshine Coast mostly impacted.
“Energex is working across South-East Queensland to repair damage caused by storms Friday afternoon and again this morning so power can be restored once it is safe to do so,” the company said.
“We have wires down right across the Sunshine Coast and Ipswich Lockyer Valley. They should be treated as being live.”
The energy provider has dispatched additional assistance to support local crews who have been working through the night.
Specialist vegetation management crews have also been deployed to clear up fallen trees.
Summer, has anyone in Melbourne seen it yet? Not that you can see much of anything as rain and temperatures come down. Photo: X
Some parts of NSW’s southeast copped more than 200mm of rain in the past few days, with two moderate flood warnings in place for the Snowy and Buchan rivers.
Several other rivers stretching along the state’s southeast are under minor or final flood warnings.
Minor flood warnings are in place for parts of southeast Queensland, mixed with warnings for heatwave conditions.
Parts of the state have been enduring scorching weather since Wednesday with high temperatures expected to impact the north and northeast through to next week.
Temperatures above 40C are expected to continue, with overnight lows only dipping to the high teens.
Heat warnings are also in place for northern parts of the Northern Territory including the possibility of severe conditions in the Tiwi District.
-with AAP
