Heavy rain and storms will ease on Sunday, but not before causing widespread flooding in New South Wales and parts of Queensland.
Overnight, the NSW south coast has been lashed by a downpour, with Ulladulla recording more than 90mm on gauges since 9am on Saturday.
Although emergency evacuation orders were issued in central-west NSW after record-breaking rainfall hit Dubbo on Saturday.
Heavy rain and storms will ease on Sunday, but not before causing widespread flooding in New South Wales and parts of Queensland (weather zone)
People in the Western Plains tourist park were asked to evacuate immediately before 2am “as inundation by floodwater is imminent” and an evacuation center was set up at the Dubbo Showground .
Despite only being October, Dubbo has now recorded its wettest year in 49 years, with around 882mm recorded as of 4pm on Saturday.
In Bathurst, racing at Mount Panorama descended into chaos after the Top 10 shootout was called off due to torrential rain.
The regional city has received more than a month’s worth of rain in just a few days.
More than 60 flood warnings are in place across NSW, covering western parts of the state, the central west, the Hunter, Hawkesbury-Nepean, the South Coast and the Illawarra.
A deluge of rain is lashing Sydney, with residents bracing for conditions to intensify overnight. (9 News)
Meanwhile, deluge hit Sydney on Saturday afternoon and residents were told to prepare for conditions to intensify overnight.
A damaging trough in New South Wales, which was unleashed for the first time in the west of the state, left several regions flooded.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Saturday afternoon that the state has a situation where dams and rivers are full and warned residents.
“With heavy rain expected, we ask everyone to continue to be cautious,” he said.
Hundreds of calls for help as heavy rain moves across NSW
“If these flood warnings are in effect, please continue to follow the instructions, be prepared to be prepared if an evacuation is required.
“Especially on the roads, not just in Sydney but across the state, be careful.”
However, the worst may be yet to come, with another system expected to move across the state on Wednesday.
“We’re only eight days into the storm season and unfortunately we’re seeing flooding continue across NSW,” Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said.
“He is expected to do so for weeks and months.”
Showers to relieve briefly
The latest outbreak of storms is being caused by a developing low pressure system, which will dissipate over Sunday and Monday.
Meteorologist Dean Narramore said the trough is being fed by tropical moisture, and heavy falls are expected to exacerbate flash flooding.
“Widespread areas, particularly for our flood affected areas of inland NSW, (could reach) 30-50mm with possible isolated falls of 80-100mm,” he forecast on Saturday, with more to come.
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Narramore said the low will bring rain to the coast on Sunday and Monday, but added that another weather system will arrive by the middle of next week.
“Unfortunately, the next weather system [arrives] Wednesday through Thursday with an outbreak of widespread severe thunderstorms,” he said.
The Narramore warning comes as residents near the Hawkesbury-Nepean rivers face a possible fifth flood in 18 months.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said there is a lower or higher risk of flooding along these communities.
Sydney is gearing up for its ‘danger day’ as heavy rain approaches. (Wolter Peters)
Weatherzone said this latest round or rain and storms is due to a cold front “harnessed by abundant tropical moisture, which had already made its way south from northern Australia”.
“The situation is likely to become extremely severe over the weekend, with heavy rain expected again over a huge area, particularly on Saturday, and particularly north of the Murray River,” the weather service added.
Weather warnings are in place for parts of Queensland, with heavy rain likely in areas such as Maranoa Warrego and the Central West districts, extending into the Darling Downs.
There is also a risk of mild to moderate flooding in a number of catchments in west and south-west Queensland as the system moves east.
The areas around Bulloo and the Paroo River are of particular concern.
Cleanup begins in Victoria
Eastern Australia is currently in the grip of its third La Nina in a row, which is expected to weaken in early 2023.
Meanwhile, Victoria SES continues to clean up after a severe storm hit the city.
Cars were stranded in floodwaters south of Melbourne. (new)
State Agency Commander Geb Abbott said Victoria had “seen the worst” of the rain, but flooding was still possible as water flowed through catchments.
“It calls for both flooding, damage to buildings and trees,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we have to respond to vehicles that have become stuck in the flood water.
“A reminder to all areas experiencing flooding: Please do not drive into water, it may be one of the last things you do.
“We are still seeing water coming in through wet catchments. Many areas will experience flooding. Crews are still prepared and ready to respond and are still engaging with communities that may still experience impacts.”