Brace Yourself: Australia Prepares for Intense Storms and Flash Floods

As summer fades away, vast regions of Australia are preparing for a spell of intense rainfall and severe thunderstorms, with potential threats of flash floods, destructive winds, and significant disruptions to communities.

This wave of inclement weather is primarily caused by a tropical low-pressure system positioned over central Australia, which, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), is anticipated to persist throughout much of the week.

Compounding the situation, the East West rail line—crucial to Australia’s freight transport—has been out of operation for at least a week following a deluge of rain and resultant flooding within a 24-hour period.

Heavy rainfall was recorded overnight in multiple states, signaling the impact of the tropical system.

In particular, areas in the Northern Territory and parts of western Queensland experienced rainfall amounts of approximately 50mm near the tropical low, while the north tropical coast of Queensland saw precipitation ranging from 50 to 100mm.

Port Augusta in South Australia recorded 50mm on Sunday after what senior BoM meteorologist Illana Cherney described as a “very dry start to the summer”.

In Victoria’s north-east, more than 100mm fell in parts of the alpine and border regions, triggering flash flooding around Wodonga on Sunday evening.

Warnings for multiple states

Severe weather warnings for heavy to intense rainfall and damaging winds are current from central parts of the Northern Territory through western Queensland and into northern South Australia and western NSW.

“As that low lingers over Central Australia, falls of 50 to 100 millimetres are possible each day and there’s a risk of damaging gusts in thunderstorms,” Cherney said.

Large flood watches and warnings are also in place across northern and central Australia, with ongoing flooding in parts of Queensland.

“With rainfall accumulating over numerous days and that ongoing risk of flash and riverine flooding, we’re looking at the possibility of road closures and community isolation through interior parts of the country,” she said.

“The persistent heavy rainfall along with cooler-than-average conditions and gusty winds also threatens cattle and other livestock.”

Melbourne is expected to be wettest on Tuesday.

“Tuesday is going to be quite a wet day for Melbourne with severe thunderstorms, likely to bring heavy rainfall and the possibility of flash flooding,” Cherney said, adding storms were likely “including across the Melbourne metro area”.

Sydney’s most significant weather is forecast for Wednesday.

“A southerly change will then move through the metro area during the afternoon, bringing showers and the risk of some storms, and those storms may be severe, bringing heavy rainfall or damaging winds,” Cherney said.

East West rail line closed following heavy rain

Meanwhile, the East West rail line has been closed following 24 hours of heavy rain and flooding.

The major rail corridor was “significantly impacted, with track washaways of up to 100 metres in some locations”, a statement from the Australian Rail Track Corporation read.

Also known as the Trans-Australian railway, the East West rail line is a major freight route that connects Perth with the eastern states.

It’s expected that it will take longer than seven days for services to resume, with the weather system possibly exacerbating existing damage and recovery efforts.

But the rain will also bring relief to parts of South Australia and Victoria experiencing prolonged dry conditions.

“Rainfall over agricultural areas does bring some relief, particularly to parts of South Australia and Victoria, which have been experiencing very long-term rainfall deficiencies,” Cherney said.

It will be the first time significant rain have hit the bushfire-affected states since December.

A “bull’s eye” around central Melbourne, with possible falls of more than 75mm, could potentially put out fires still burning in parts of Victoria.

— With reporting by the Australian Associated Press.

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