Phenomenal rainfall totals hit parts of Australia, residents urged to brace for more rain and potential flooding

Exceptional rainfall totals have been recorded in Queensland and Northern Territory, Australia overnight Wednesday, November 10, 2021, as a potent storm moved over the region. Residents are being urged to prepare for potential flooding across parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria as Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) experts forecast heavy rain and thunderstorms for the rest of this week.

• Parts of New South Wales are forecast to receive more than a month's worth of rain over the next three days.
• Western Queensland is expected to see three times their November average rainfall in the coming days.
• Victoria may also see some gusty south-easterly winds, particularly across southern and mountain areas.

Overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday, November 9 into 10, phenomenal rainfall totals fell in parts of Queensland and Northern Territory, Australia, with the area north of Rockhampton in Queensland receiving more than 300 mm (11.8 inches) and Alice Springs in Northern Territory recording 100 mm (3.9 inches), BOM said.

The 24-hour rainfall total registered in Alice Springs has not been this high since January 30, 2001. 

Residents are being urged to prepare for potential flooding across parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria through the rest of this week.¹

BOM Hazard Preparedness and Response East Manager Jane Golding said key areas of concern ranged from Queensland down through to Victoria, and included river catchments close to the NSW-Queensland border and along the western slopes in New South Wales.

"Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to set in from Wednesday and continue into the weekend, so we're urging people to prepare now," Golding said.

"Many areas in eastern Australia will see significant rainfall, and some locations in New South Wales and Queensland are likely to see daily rainfall totals of 150 mm (5.9 inches) or higher."

"This kind of heavy rainfall over a short period of time can cause dangerous flash flooding and combined with the fact that many river catchments down the east coast are already quite wet, there is a very real risk that we may see some rivers flood too."

"Please make sure you're staying up to date with current forecasts and warnings and be careful when you are out and about this week."

Parts of New South Wales are forecast to receive more than a month's worth of rain over the next three days.

Western Queensland is expected to see three times their November average rainfall in the coming days.

Victoria may also see some gusty south-easterly winds, particularly across southern and mountain areas. This is an unusual wind direction and, in combination with the wet ground, will be more likely to bring down trees and powerlines as well as cause minor property damage.

"That's why we're warning people early to be prepared for this severe weather system. We want people to ‘know your weather, know your risk’, have the most up-to-date information, and be factoring our forecasts and warnings into their daily planning."

References:

¹ East coast urged to be prepared for severe weather and flooding this week – BOM

Featured image credit: Yaye's Cafe – Alice Springs, NT