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Unprecedented Floods Hit Victoria, NSW on Alert
16 Jan
Summary
- Victoria's surf coast experienced an unprecedented downpour, dumping 180mm of rain.
- Around 400 people were displaced as cars and campgrounds flooded in Wye River.
- Further flash flooding is predicted for NSW's south coast over the coming days.
Severe storms recently impacted Victoria's surf coast, with Lorne and Wye River receiving an "unprecedented" 180mm of rain within a six-hour period. This extreme downpour led to flash flooding, inundating rivers and campgrounds, and resulted in approximately 400 people being displaced. Dozens of vehicles were destroyed, with some being washed into the ocean.
While emergency services defended the timing of their warnings, calling the event unprecedented, local officials questioned the predictability of such rainfall. The Bureau of Meteorology stated that severe weather warnings were issued as rainfall rates climbed rapidly. Further flash flooding is now anticipated across the southern parts of New South Wales and Victoria in the coming days.
The forecast for NSW's south coast includes potential damaging winds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and persistent heavy rain, with predictions of 150 to 200mm between Thursday afternoon and Saturday night. This weather is expected to cause travel disruptions, road closures, and potential impacts on coastal activities and flights, while also complicating efforts to combat existing bushfires in Victoria.
