The remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther will cause heavy rainfall and potential flooding across parts of southern New South Wales, the ACT and Victoria over Wednesday and Thursday.
The Bureau of Meterology has warned the ex-cyclone, which is currently near the Northern Territory/Queensland border, is headed towards NSW, with rain likely to intensify in inland and south-east parts of the state on Wednesday night leading into Thursday.
BOM meteorologist Grace Legge said NSW and the ACT can expect rainfall between 40mm and 100mm over the next two days.
“We’ve seen the remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther continue to move through central parts of the Northern Territory,” she said.
“That moisture is being picked up by what’s called an upper trough in the upper atmosphere which is dragging a lot of that moisture down more to the south east, so it is extending from parts of the NT, Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT and into parts of Victoria.”
A flood watch has been issued for Murrumbidgee, Tumut, Queanbeyan,and Belubula Rivers, and for river systems across the northern inland.
Legge said 120mm of rain had already been recorded in Fowlers Gap in the past 24 hours.
The ACT state emergency services has fielded 45 requests for help since 11.30pm on Tuesday night.
Landslips and debris on roads could affect areas hit by recent bushfires if rainfall is heavy.
In Victoria, a heavy rainfall warning has been issued for north-east parts of the state, including East Gippsland, Shepparton, Wangaratta and Wodonga. Between 60mm and 120mm of rain is expected from late Wednesday afternoon to Thursday, with the heaviest period expected early on Thursday morning.
Emergency services Victoria has warned isolated thunderstorms are also possible in the affected areas, which could result in heavier rainfall.
It is expected that by Friday the rain will clear up as the rain heads out over the Tasman.
