‘Almost’ every river west of NSW mountain range to flood as system smashes state

“Almost every river” west of the Great Dividing Range in NSW could see moderate to major flooding in coming hours and days as heavy rain continues to fall inland.

Jonathan How from the Bureau of Meteorology said while Victoria and Queensland also had flood warnings in place, the main areas of concern were in NSW.

“That includes places like Tamworth and Bathurst,” he told Today.

“If you are on the coast in Sydney you are under flood watch as well. We are looking at minor to moderate flooding and that includes the Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers and Wollongong.”

Weatherzone reported that the outback town of Bourke in New South Wales received more than its monthly average rainfall in one day yesterday.

Storms dropped 39.2mm on the town yesterday, compared to its October monthly average of 26.3mm.

And the intense weather isn’t just restricted to rain, with 400 lightning strikes recorded near the little hamlet of White Cliffs in NSW’s north-west.

Weatherzone meteorologist James Rout said more rain in Australia’s isolated rural areas was likely.

“A number of low pressure troughs are crossing south-east (Australia), and the negative IOD and La Niña are providing abundant moisture,” he said.

“There’s also a large high pressure ridge extending over the Tasman Sea which seems to be slowing down the eastward progress of the systems, allowing more time for rain to fall.”

Sydney meanwhile is inching closer to setting a new annual record for rainfall.

The record of 2194mm is expected to be surpassed by this weekend, with falls of up to 49mm in the city overnight.

The rain is set to continue today, with predictions of 10-15mm in the CBD.

Residents are being urged to prepare as flood warnings remain in place throughout NSW, including the Upper Hunter, Lower Hunter, Darling River, Murray River and the Lachlan River.

The SES has already carried out a number of rescues and is warning people to avoid floodwaters.

NSW isn’t the only state in the firing line, with rain and storms forecast right around the country.

Today, showers and isolated thunderstorms are set to develop in the afternoon and evening across southern Queensland, much of NSW, and Victoria, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.

Northern Tasmania may also see moderate to heavy rainfall.

Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, heavy rain and large hail will be possible in south-west NSW and western Victoria today.

Across South Australia the next cold front will bring another band of showers and isolated storms across the state.

Many communities that recently experienced flooding or are currently in flood will likely see rivers rise in the coming week.

The ground remains saturated, and any additional rainfall will cause streams and rivers to rise, the BoM has said.