Parts of northern Australia, including Darwin, are bracing for their first monsoon of the season, with forecasts predicting up to 600 mm (23.6 inches) of rain in a week, potentially leading to widespread flooding and cyclone activity.
Following heavy rain over the weekend, major flood warnings have been issued across Victoria, prompting residents of Yea, Seymour, and Rochester to evacuate as authorities and emergency services respond to widespread flooding and record rainfall.
Ten people have lost their lives in a series of storm and water-related incidents across Australia, spanning from Queensland to Victoria, as severe thunderstorms battered the east coast from December 24 – 26, 2023.
On Sunday, December 17, 2023, Australian authorities issued a critical warning for thousands in north Queensland to move to higher ground due to the imminent threat of flooding from heavy rains.
Category 2 Tropical Cyclone “Jasper” made landfall over the Far North Queensland coast, Australia at around 07:00 UTC on December 13, 2023, with sustained winds near the center of 100 km/h (62 mph) and gusts to 140 km/h (85 mph).
Tropical Cyclone “Jasper,” currently a Category 1 system, is moving towards the west-northwest and is expected to intensify to a Category 2 as it nears the Far North Queensland coast, with landfall likely between Cooktown and Innisfail on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
Scorching heat, dry lightning, and strong winds hit South Australia on Friday, December 8, 2023, causing multiple fires and extensive power outages affecting over 24 000 homes.
Severe Tropical Cyclone “Jasper” has intensified to a Category 4 system on Friday, December 8, 2023, with sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph) and gusts up to 270 km/h (165 mph). Currently located about 650 km (405 miles) from Honiara, Solomon Islands, Jasper poses a potential threat to the north Queensland coast.
Areas of severe rainfall deficiency are expanding in Australia, following the country’s driest September on record, affecting the nation’s farm production and contributing to a 41% predicted fall in average farm incomes in the 2023–24 financial year.
Major flooding was expected in the Victorian city of Sale this morning, October 6, 2023 (LT), as the Thomson River approached the severe flood level. Residents were advised not to return home for 12 to 24 hours and to seek higher ground immediately.
