SA braces as storms, floods loom – again
A powerful low-sweeping storm will dump heavy falls and trigger fresh flooding fears across the state.
Severe storms, heavy rain and rising flood risks are sweeping across southeast and central Australia as a deep low-pressure system powers east over the next three days.
The news has seen a code blue issued for rough sleepers in South Australia.
Senior meteorologist David Crockett from the Bureau of Meteorology says the low will drive widespread rain and storms over the next three days as it tracks from SA into NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
It would mainly affect Adelaide this afternoon and on Monday night.
“We will see a big low-pressure system bringing rain and storms across a vast area of southeast and central Australia over the next three days or so,” he said on Monday.
The system developed over WA on Saturday and has already delivered widespread rain and thunderstorms across the west, western SA and the southern NT, including 20-to-30mm in Alice Springs on Sunday.
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The low is centred in far-west SA, spreading rain across the state with a risk of severe thunderstorms and damaging winds in the state’s north and into southern parts of the NT on Monday.
As the system tracks east, it will move over the Eyre and Yorke peninsulas before passing near Adelaide and the hills, with higher totals possible over already saturated catchments.
“Many of those areas, particularly the Adelaide Hills, are quite wet already following recent rain … the creeks and rivers are ready to respond quickly to any further rainfall,” Crockett said.
Forecasts have led to Human Services Minister Katrine Hildyard announcing a ‘code blue’ for people sleeping rough.
She said there would be additional statewide supports provided by homelessness services and their partners including:
- increased daytime operation hours and/or staffing
- extended street outreach
Stay informed, daily
- increased promotion of existing services
- practical aid (clothing, water, food and blankets)
- safe places to temporarily seek refuge from extreme weather during the day.
Overnight accommodation or shelter may be available under this activation.
The rain band is expected to shift into western NSW and much of Victoria from late Monday and into Tuesday, with the heaviest falls of 40-to-60mm expected early on Tuesday over the northeast Victorian ranges and the southeast ranges of NSW, particularly the alpine regions.
The warning comes after two cars were swept away and three people rescued following flash flooding that inundated parts of the state earlier this month.
During that drenching, the South Australian Emergency Services responded to 513 incidents within 24 hours, driven predominantly by severe weather and widespread flooding.
The Athelstone Football Club rooms were also flooded, with a spokesman saying an Under-15 football games was halted because of lightening and rain just before water poured into the building.
The SES warned people not to drive, ride or walk through flood water and to keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
Call Homeless Connect SA on 1800 003 308 (24 hours, 7 days) to find out what support may be available for people sleeping rough.
-with AAP
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