Grey nomads travelling in Victoria are being warned to brace themselves for some seriously wild weather in the coming days.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a warning about dangerously wet conditions across the state over a 72-hour period. Melbourne could receive up to 200mm of rainfall, more than its entire December average and potentially the entire summer’s worth, by Sunday.
Channel 9 reports that three-day totals of around 100-200mm are expected across most of northern and central regions of the state. The northeast ranges could collect more than 250mm in their gauge; elsewhere, totals are likely to be between 30 and 100mm.
The worst of the conditions will be through tonight into Saturday morning.
“It is an event that poses a threat to life, there will be a massive amount of lightning, there will be roads cut, flood waters,” said BOM Operations Centre Senior Meteorologist, Scott Williams. “We’re going to have major problems across the state … half the inhabitants of Melbourne have probably never seen something like this.”
He said a series of thunderstorms developing over western Victoria would weld into a massive, great rain band, causing a ‘vast, intense, high-impact event for this state’.
Channel 9 reports that a Flood Watch warning has also been issued for most rivers across the state, including the Snowy River and Mitchell River, and VicRoads has urged motorists to take extreme care in the difficult driving conditions expected.
“If you’re planning to go camping along the river this weekend, don’t,” Tim Wiebusch, Deputy Chief Officer from the State Emergency Services said. “Now is the time for all Victorians to start being alert.”
New South Wales is also expected to cop some wild weather, with a severe warning issued for parts of the state’s south-east.
Channel 9 reports that thousands of South Australian homes and businesses are still without power following an extreme weather event, with the state’s SES preparing for rainfall that could exceed 100mm in some areas.
Bunker down everyone and don’t take risks trying to cross flooded creeks or roads, especially with a caravan. Remember you are very precious to those who love you.