Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

More heavy rain is expected to fall across multiple eastern states this weekend, here's what you need to know

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued multiple flood warnings in Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania after a week of storms and heavy rainfall.

Rain and thunderstorms were forecast across much of the east coast of Australia for today and over the weekend, with storms due to ease up on Monday.

Here's a breakdown of what to expect over the coming hours and days:

ACT

The BOM said most of the weekend's rain in the ACT is forecast to fall on Saturday, with possible rainfall of between 10 and 15 millimetres.  

Read the BOM's latest weather and floods warnings for ACT here.  

Queensland

Forecasters said a trough was expected to move into the south-west of the state on Friday, and then move east across southern and central Queensland on the weekend, pushing offshore late on Sunday.

Rainfall is expected to peak on Saturday, with heavy rainfall possible in the south-west and southern interior.

Showers and thunderstorms are forecast to move into the south-east of the state on Sunday, with lower rainfall expected as the trough system weakens.

Read the BOM's latest flood and weather warnings for Queensland here

New South Wales

From late on Friday, an intense system will bring widespread heavy rain over New South Wales, in particular the eastern half, including the western slope and ranges and the central and southern coast, BOM predicts.

The BOM is warning parts of inland and central New South Wales will experience their most widespread and significant flooding of the year from Friday.

The outlook is set to worsen throughout the weekend as a trough and cold front move across the state.

Forbes, Gunnedah and Bathurst are likely to be hit by significant rainfall and experience major flooding throughout the weekend.

Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke asked communities to be prepared for what is to come.

"We are in the middle of two wet weather systems at present and the next 24 to 36 hours we are likely to see increased rainfall across southern inland and also across Sydney," Ms Cooke said.

"We are expecting weather conditions to deteriorate."

Ms Cooke said that the ongoing deluge of heavy rain is especially troublesome for western New South Wales due to the already saturated ground and full dams.

The minister warned that Saturday would be the "danger day" due to the significant weather events predicted.

Read the BOM's latest weather and flood warnings for NSW here

Tasmania

According to BOM, showers are expected for the rest of Friday, before moving to Tasmania's west on Friday night, where showers are expected to continue on Saturday.

Read the BOM's latest flood and weather warnings for Tasmania here

Victoria

The BOM has forecast showers and thunderstorms to continue late on Friday, with heavy rainfall expected in the central and north-east slopes and ranges, and significant rain is also possible for the Yarra and Dandenong ranges and the Bass Coast.

On Saturday, the southern part of the state is expected to receive showers, which are expected to ease on Sunday.

Read the BOM's latest flood and weather warnings for Victoria here

How to make sure you're prepared for a flood

This current sweep of wet weather is expected to be just the start after BOM announced last month that Australia will experience its third consecutive La Niña.

Emergency services across the country have urged those in flood-prone areas to be alert and prepared.

The NSW SES suggests these measures to help keep you and your family safe during flood season:

  • Have an emergency plan
  • Prepare an emergency kit
  • Clean out gutters and drains in your home to reduce blockage
  • Find out where the evacuation centres in your area will be
  • Talk to your local council about how flooding could affect your property
  • Ensure your insurance is up to date and suitable to your risk
  • Never walk, ride or drive through floodwater.

Keep up with the latest rainfall numbers, flood levels and flood watches and weather warnings at the BOM website.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.