Thunderstorms are expected to continue across NSW on Boxing Day, bringing further risk of flash flooding and other damage to large parts of the state.
A severe weather warning for the coast, issued about Christmas lunch time, stretched from the Queensland to Victorian borders.
The warning was cancelled late on Monday as isolated thunderstorms were still occurring about the far northeast coastline but were expected to push offshore in the early hours of Tuesday.
A pattern of heavy rain, hail and damaging winds formed over the South West Slopes on Monday; extending north past Dubbo, taking in Orange, Canberra, Yass, Parkes, Wagga Wagga and Albury.
NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz said the severe weather could continue well into Boxing Day.
“This is a reminder for everyone – if it’s flooded, please forget it,” she said.
“Do not drive or play in any flooded areas.”
On Christmas Eve, the SES was called to 492 incidents, 313 of them across Sydney.
Most of the calls for assistance were related to storm damage to houses, however SES crews also conducted 25 flood rescues.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Angus Hines said the wet weather would continue for days, including the threat of more severe thunderstorms.
Premier Chris Minns thanked emergency workers for all their hard work over the holiday period.
“There’s been some really strange weather over the last couple of days, from bushfires to storms,” Mr Minns said on Monday.
“There’s been tens of thousands of volunteers for the RFS and the State Emergency Services who’ve been working around the clock to keep us safe, to repair communities so that they can have a Christmas together.”
Source: AAP
