As heavy rainfall continues across Canberra, the ACT State Emergency Service has received more than 120 requests for assistance from the Canberra community.
As of 3pm today, staff and volunteers from the ACT SES, ACT Fire & Rescue, and Transport Canberra and City Services have attended to 56 calls for help with 67 remaining outstanding.
In a media statement, ACTSES advised that incidents are being attended to in order of priority. Crews will work into the evening to reach as many households and businesses as possible. The community is thanked for their patience at this time.
Many incidents relate to leaking roofs and water inundation, with crews also attending to a small number of trees down in Canberra’s suburbs. Saturated soil can mean an increase in falling trees and branches.
Rain is expected to continue for the remainder of Thursday with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting winds could increase into the evening. A severe weather warning is current for damaging winds and heavy rainfall in parts of the ACT, and NSW central and southern inland regions.
In a 1pm update today, the BOM said a powerful cold front is bringing severe weather to the ACT and inland and central NSW.
Damaging wind gusts in excess of 90km/hr are possible for parts of the south-east and central regions of NSW and heavy rainfall likely along the western slopes and western parts of the ACT. Damaging winds are expected to persist during Friday in parts of the south-east, most likely through the Illawarra.
Thunderstorms are possible for much of the ACT and NSW. Severe thunderstorms are possible in the northern and southern inland regions of NSW, with the potential to bring damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall on Thursday afternoon and evening.
A flood watch has been issued for inland NSW central and south west catchments with the potential for widespread minor flooding and possible isolated major flooding in some regions, including Upper Murray, Lachlan and Mitta Mitta rivers. Flooding is likely on Thursday night into Friday.
The Bureau is monitoring the situation closely and will update its forecasts and warnings regularly.
The Bureau encourages communities to stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via the Bureau’s website and BOM Weather app and follow the advice of emergency services agencies.
For help during floods and storms, call the ACTSES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency call Triple Zero (000).
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