Australia’s wild weather and remarkable rainfall was continuing overnight (Monday) and set to continue into Tuesday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology has said.
Large parts of the country are essentially getting three to four months’ worth of rain over three to four days, the BOM advised, with this level of rainfall never seen in some areas since records began.
Every state and territory, with the exception of Western Australia, is under a heavy rain warning.
Hawkesbury and Nepean, for example, are likely to exceed the area’s 1961 flood mark but may fall slightly short of the of the 1867 flood event.
The highest rainfall overnight yesterday (Sunday night) was on the Gold Coast hinterland at North Tambourine, which received 263mm. Brisbane CBD received 125mm.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the weather pattern has been caused by a collision of two weather systems, which have created a huge rain and thunderstorm band across large parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement that in Northern NSW there are 35 communities isolated. These include Taree, Bellingen, Wingham, Harrington and Laurieton.
Across NSW, 1,400 SES first responders have conducted over 700 flood rescues and responded to over 7,500 requests for assistance.
“This is very difficult and dangerous work,” the PM said in Parliament. “I wish to acknowledge and pay tribute … [to] the extraordinary efforts of our volunteers and the emergency services in responding to these terrible events.
“Thankfully, the current forecast has conditions easing state-wide from early Wednesday but we will watch and see.”
Morrison said a formal request from NSW for Australian Defence Force was expected and would likely be to for recovery support and clean-up operations.
This would require the ADF to supply personnel, vehicles and machinery. A request for heavy-lift aerial support was also a possibility.
“The ADF is readying itself for this task that still lays ahead, particularly in the recovery phase. It is working closely with NSW Emergency Services to co-ordinate potential areas for assistance, the PM stated.
The Government’s Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance has been activated to support those who have been affected, suffered significant losses or serious injury, or whose income has been affected.
This is non-means tested and provides payments of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children.