Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales

Minor To Moderate Flood Warning For The Murrumbidgee River
Issued at 10:32 AM EST on Thursday 18 August 2022
Flood Watch Number: 30

MODERATE FLOODING OCCURRING AT NARRANDERA
MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE AT HAY TOWN LATE AUGUST
MINOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT DARLINGTON POINT AND POSSIBLE AT CARRATHOOL
The main flood peak along the Murrumbidgee River is now downstream of Narrandera where river levels peaked on Tuesday with moderate flooding. River levels at Narrandera are expected to remain elevated for the next few days.
Minor flooding is occurring at Darlington Point where a minor flood peak is expected during Saturday.
Minor flooding is possible at Carrathool and Hay from mid next week. Moderate flooding may occur at Hay Town late August.
Moderate rainfall is expected later this week which may result in renewed river level rises in the upper parts of the Murrumbidgee catchment. If required warnings may be reissued for Tumut, Gundagai or Wagga Wagga.
A flood watch is current for the Tumut and Murrumbidgee rivers.
Flood operations are being conducted by WaterNSW at Burrinjuck Dam. The releases will vary subject to inflow and downstream tributary flow rates. WaterNSW are working closely with the Bureau, NSW SES and landholders to plan release strategies.

Murrumbidgee River downstream of Burrinjuck to Wagga Wagga:
Renewed minor flooding may occur along the Murrumbidgee River downstream of Burrinjuck to Wagga Wagga.
Murrumbidgee River downstream of Wagga Wagga to Narrandera:
Moderate flooding is occurring along the Murrumbidgee River at Narrandera.
The Murrumbidgee River at Narrandera peaked at 7.56 metres around 04:45 pm Tuesday 16 August and is currently at 7.46 metres and falling with moderate flooding.
The Murrumbidgee River at Narrandera is likely to remain above the moderate flood level (7.30 m) for the remainder of the week.

Murrumbidgee River downstream of Narrandera to Darlington Point:
Minor flooding is occurring along the Murrumbidgee River at Darlington Point.
The Murrumbidgee River at Darlington Point may reach around 6.50 metres during Saturday, with minor flooding.

Murrumbidgee River downstream of Darlington Point to Balranald Weir:
Moderate flooding is possible along the Murrumbidgee River at Hay Town. Minor flooding is possible at Carrathool.
The Murrumbidgee River at Carrathool may reach around 7.10 metres midweek next week with minor flooding.

The Murrumbidgee River at Hay Town may exceed the minor flood level (6.50 m) mid next week. The river level may reach the moderate flood level (7.50 m) late August. Further rises are possible.

Flood Safety Advice:
In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring NSW SES on 132 500.
* Avoid drowning. Stay out of rising water, seek refuge in the highest available place.
* Prevent damage to your vehicle. Move it under cover, away from areas likely to flood.
* Avoid being swept away. Stay out of fast-flowing creeks and storm drains.
* Never drive, ride or walk through flood water. Flood water can be deceptive and dangerous.}
For more emergency information, advice, and access to the latest river heights and rainfall observations and forecasts:
* NSW SES: www.ses.nsw.gov.au
* RMS Live Traffic: www.livetraffic.com
* Latest River Heights and Rainfall Observations: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/southwest.shtml
* Latest NSW Warnings: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/
* Rainfall Forecasts: www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/
* BOM NSW Twitter: www.twitter.com/BOM_NSW

Next issue:
The next warning will be issued by 11:00 am EST on Friday 19 August 2022.

Latest River Heights:
Tumut River at Tumut,1.32,Steady,10:10 AM THU 18/08/22
Murrumbidgee River at Gundagai,5.70,Falling,10:00 AM THU 18/08/22
Murrumbidgee River at Eringoarrah,6.78,Steady,10:10 AM THU 18/08/22
Murrumbidgee River at Wagga Wagga,6.73,Falling,10:10 AM THU 18/08/22
Murrumbidgee River at Narrandera,7.46,Falling,10:00 AM THU 18/08/22
Murrumbidgee River at Gogeldrie Weir,6.83,Rising,09:47 AM THU 18/08/22
Murrumbidgee River at Darlington Point,6.08,Rising,10:00 AM THU 18/08/22
Murrumbidgee River at Hay Town,5.72,Rising,10:15 AM THU 18/08/22
Murrumbidgee River at Hay Weir Downstream,6.54,Steady,09:47 AM THU 18/08/22
Murrumbidgee River at Maude Weir Downstream,6.09,Rising,10:00 AM THU 18/08/22
Murrumbidgee River at Redbank Weir,5.70,Steady,09:47 AM THU 18/08/22
Murrumbidgee River at Balranald Weir Downstream,6.12,Falling,10:00 AM THU 18/08/22

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 210. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood. The latest weather forecast is available at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Damaging Winds

for parts of South Coast, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:44 am Thursday, 18 August 2022.

Damaging winds developing during Thursday morning.

Weather Situation
North to northwesterly winds are forecast to increase ahead of an approaching cold front during Thursday.
DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
South Coast, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory
DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are possible for parts above 1500 m of the Snowy Mountains, ACT, Southern Tablelands and South Coast from Thursday morning.
DAMAGING WINDS averaging 80 to 90 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 125 km/h are possible for Alpine areas above 1900 m from Thursday morning into Thursday evening. The time of greatest risk will be in the afternoon.
Winds are expected to ease below warning thresholds over the Alpine area by Friday morning.
Locations which may be affected include Mount Ginini, Perisher Valley, Charlotte Pass, Thredbo Top Station, Cabramurra and Selwyn.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 am AEST Thursday.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.