Looks like I better go buy myself a row boat after all, looks like the rains are back
Significant Weather Media Release
IDN38503
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
Significant Weather Media Release
Issued at 3:56 pm EDT on Tuesday 28 February 2012.
Flood threat for southern and central NSW and the ACT
The Bureau of Meteorology warned today that heavy rain and thunderstorms pose a
significant flood threat to large parts of the southern half of NSW inlcuding
the ACT.
The Bureau has issued a Severe Weather Warning and Flood Watch for a large part
of central and southern NSW with heavy rain developing today and increasing on
Wednesday and Thursday. The Nepean-Hawkesbury River which provides a border to
western Sydney is included in the Flood Watch and is likely to flood before the
end of the week.
"A major rainfall event is unfolding and we expect flooding to develop in the
coming days," the Bureau's New South Wales Regional Director Mr Barry Hanstrum
said today.
"The heaviest falls are most likely in a band running between Broken Hill to
the south and central coast including Ivanhoe, Forbes, Young, Cowra, Canberra,
Goulburn, Wollongong and Sydney. Some locations could receive falls in excess
of 300mm over the next several days," Mr Hanstrum said.
"This event is perhaps the most significant rainfall event that some of these
areas have seen in decades and records may be broken. I urge people to keep a
close eye on the latest warnings issued by the Bureau," he added.
New South Wales State Emergency Service Commissioner Mr Murray Kear has urged
people in areas affected to prepare now. "People living and working along
rivers and streams in the areas affected by the Flood Watch and warnings should
prepare now. If you live in rural areas lift pumps and relocate livestock and
equipment to higher ground. If isolation is likely stock up now on food, fuel,
medicine and other essential items."
"In urban areas if you are in a flood prone location activate your flood plan
and prepare your property and family. It is particularly important that once
heavy rain begins to fall you and your family stay well clear of floodwater. If
you need help call the NSW SES on 132 500 or 000 if it is a life-threatening
emergency."
For further information contact the Bureau's Media Line: 0432 746 432
For more information, see NSW Media Releases:
www.bom.gov.au/announcements/media_releases/nsw/
Note: This product provides supplementary information about a current or recent
significant weather or a warning.