Thousands of NSW residents are bracing for flash flooding with heavy rain and thunderstorms to hit many parts of the state.
Ninety-nine flood warnings are current, with the SES performing more than a dozen rescues and answering hundreds of calls for assistance overnight.
The focus of the crisis continues to be in the state’s far northeast and southeast, close to the Victorian border.
In the north, emergency warnings are in place for Moree, Narrabri and the hamlet of Terry Hie Hie, while in the southern borderlands an evacuation order is current for Moama.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns the big wet will likely continue, with widespread showers and thunderstorms forecast for eastern NSW, resulting in flash flooding for many regions.
The bureau says the northeast is an area of concern as a trough and possible low-pressure system develops off the coast, bringing heavy rain to the Northern Rivers, including Lismore and Byron Bay.
“Exact rainfall amounts will depend on where this trough forms and how it moves and in particular whether the low-pressure system develops near the coast or further offshore,” it said late on Friday.
“Heavy rain may bring both a flash flooding and riverine flooding risk.”
A woman with a pre-existing medical condition was airlifted to hospital in Tamworth late on Friday by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter after becoming isolated by floodwater on a property at Narrabri.
The same chopper was called to a Northern Tablelands farm west of Glen Innes on Friday after a man trying to drive a tractor through floodwater became stranded when the engine stalled.
He was dragged approximately 200 metres to dry land by onlookers before being treated by paramedics for exposure and hypothermia.
The bureau has forecast rain and storms on Saturday further south, including Sydney, where it predicts a thunderstorm will bring heavy falls causing flash flooding.
Residents in the city’s west are expected to bear the brunt, with flooding tipped on the Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers.
Further ahead, the bureau says there will be “some brief reprieve” from the rain towards the middle of next week but flooding will continue regardless.
“Major flooding will continue across inland NSW and northern Victoria as floodwaters continue to impact travel, roads and infrastructure,” it said.
FLOODING STATE BY STATE
NSW
* Evacuation warnings are in place for towns along the Murray River, including Moama, Cummeragunja and Mathoura. The Murray is forecast to peak Sunday into Monday.
* Residents in Narrandera, northwest of Wagga Wagga, are advised to evacuate as the Murrumbidgee River floods. Major inundation is expected downstream at Hay.
* The Darling River at Tilpa in the state’s northwest could reach 12 metres on Saturday, with major flooding, while the Bogan River at Mudall and Mulgawarrina is at major flood level.
* The towns of Jemalong and Euabalong in the central west are seeing major flooding from the Lachlan River, while moderate flooding continues at Forbes. The Lachlan is also in peak at Condobolin.
* Flooding continues at Warren, where the Macquarie River has been at major levels for weeks.
* There is moderate flooding along the Edward, Barwon and Culgoa rivers.
* Rain is expected across much of NSW. Severe thunderstorms are possible across the eastern half, with locally heavy falls leading to flash flooding, gusty winds and possible hail.
VICTORIA
* Evacuation warnings are in place on Saturday for residents in the northern Victorian towns of Echuca, Barmah and Lower Moira with major flooding along the Murray and Goulburn Rivers.
* An evacuation warning is still active in Bunbartha, in the Goulburn Valley region, and it is not safe to return.
* An emergency warning for Loddon Weir to Kerang remains in place.
TASMANIA
* Severe weather is no longer occurring in Tasmania however minor flooding may develop along the Mersey River on the northwest coast on Saturday afternoon after overnight rainfalls of 30 to 60mm were recorded across the Mersey River catchment.
* Moderate flood warnings are in place for the Macquarie River and the South Esk River, while minor flood warnings remain along The Meander River and North Esk River.
* Flood watch is active for the North West, North, North East, Derwent and Coal Catchments.
QUEENSLAND
* A severe weather warning is in place for parts of Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast forecast districts, including parts of the Mary River catchment.
* Moderate flooding may occur along the Mary River at Tiaro from Sunday after rainfalls of 170mm overnight on Saturday.
* Minor flood warnings are in place at Dagun Pocket, Gympie, the Upper Dawson River and Comet and Nogoa rivers.
* A flood watch is current in parts of Central and Southern Queensland, including the Fitzroy River basin.
* Advisories for possible flash floods have been issued to residents in the Noosa and Gympie regions and those on the Fraser Coast (Maryborough). Queensland Fire and Emergency warns rainfall of up to 200mm is forecast in the next 36 to 48 hours.
