Widespread heavy rain and flooding impacting Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales, Australia

Severe Weather Warnings are in place for northern Tasmania, central and northern Victoria and southern inland New South Wales as widespread heavy rain, flash flooding, and damaging winds continue on Thursday, October 13, 2022.

Widespread rain, combined with wet or already flooded catchments will lead to renewed river and creek rises, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warns.

A number of Flood Warnings have already been issued, and Flood Watches are in place as rivers begin to respond to rainfall.¹

There is heightened concern for communities across northern Tasmania with 24-hr rainfall forecasts in excess of 300 mm (11.8 inches) possible on October 13. Widespread Moderate to Major Flooding is expected across Victoria and Tasmania. In NSW, rain on Friday may cause renewed river rises in parts of the central west and southwest, however, rainfall totals will not be as high in other areas of NSW.

Weather warnings as of 10.00 LT on October 13:

Tasmania – heavy rain with 6-hourly totals of 40 to 60 mm (1.5 – 2.4 inches) across northern Tasmania, increasing to intense rain with 6-hourly totals to 100 mm (4 inches), particularly across the Western Tiers. There are warnings in place for damaging winds and damaging surf conditions.

Victoria – heavy rain with 6-hourly totals of 30 to 50 mm (1.2 – 2 inches), with damaging winds for elevated terrain.

New South Wales – heavy rain with 6-hourly totals of 30 to 50 mm (1.2 – 2 inches) extending across southern NSW, with damaging winds for Alpine areas.

Rain will ease to showers for western Victoria and western NSW on Thursday night, and then eases into Friday morning for the rest of Victoria and Tasmania, although moderate to heavy falls are still likely for some areas. Showers will move over eastern NSW from Friday morning and then finally move offshore into the afternoon and evening.

Communities, in particular those living on or near any rivers, creeks and streams or in low-lying areas, especially in northern Victoria, Tasmania and the Riverina of NSW are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecast and warnings via the Bureau’s website and BOM Weather app and follow the advice of emergency services.

In the 24-hours to 09:00 LT on October 13, the highest observed rainfall totals have been:

• 185 mm (7.3 inches) at Great Lake East, Tasmania
• 148 mm (5.8 inches) at Lake Mackenzie, Tasmania
• 129 mm (5 inches) at Strathbogie North, Victoria
• 123 mm (4.8 inches) at Charnwood, Victoria
• 104 mm (4 inches) at Sheffield Farm, Tasmania
• 90 mm (3.5 inches) at Seymour, Victoria
• 70 mm (2.7 inches) at Pooncarie, NSW

References:

¹ Widespread heavy rain and flooding impacting Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales – BOM – October 13, 2022

Featured image credit: JMA/Himawari-8, Zoom Earth, The Watchers