More Severe Weather Warnings Have Been Issued for Australia’s East Coast, as Flood Cleanup Efforts Begin

Wild weather is expected to return to Australia's east coast and along the Great Australian Bight, just as flood-ravaged communities begin to clean up.

Severe winds and thunderstorms are expected to hit Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia as early as Sunday afternoon.

More severe weather warnings have been issued for Australia's east coast

(Photo : Nikolas Noonan/Unsplash)

The Tasmanian State Emergency Service (SES) warned that severe thunderstorms in the state's south could cause flash flooding and hazardous driving conditions, as per The Guardian.

With gusts of up to 100km/h expected, Tasmanians have been advised to secure any loose items around their properties.

"With recent persistent rain, wet soil, and damaging winds, there is a significant potential for trees and powerlines to be brought down across Tasmania," said Leon Smith, acting director of the Tasmania SES.

Residents in southern Victoria have also been warned, with a severe weather warning in effect for damaging winds.

The warning extends from the South Australian border to Gippsland, affecting greater Melbourne as well as Maryborough, Kyneton, Castlemaine, Bacchus Marsh, and Ballarat.

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised anyone in those areas to avoid travel and stay indoors if at all possible.

An evacuation order remains in effect along the Murray River in Echuca, and residents in flood-affected communities have been warned of a gastro outbreak caused by contaminated flood water.

Floods have damaged over 1,000 homes and businesses in New South Wales.

Powerlines and trees are more likely to fall as a result of strong winds and saturated soils.

Penrith, Bowral, Wollongong, Mudgee, Bombala, and Quirindi are among the towns affected.

Winds are expected to be damaging across much of South Australia, from west of Ceduna to Adelaide and as far south as Mount Gambier.

From the northwest pastoral areas to the Eyre Peninsula, a severe thunderstorm warning has also been issued.

Read more: Wet Weather and Cooler Temperatures in the Pacific Northwest to Continue Until November

Storms are moving inland

Today, three states will face damaging winds and thunderstorms as a deepening low and cold front move east across Australia.

South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales have all been hit by lightning strikes, with South Australia recording nearly 100,000 overnight.

Another thunderstorm outbreak is expected in the east today, according to Weatherzone.

The worst of the weather is expected to hit Western NSW and northern Victoria this morning, before moving on to Queensland.

Flash flooding, large hail, and damaging winds of more than 90km/hr are all possible.

Yesterday, gusts of over 100km/hr were recorded, with winds of 102km/hr sweeping through the outback town of Coober Pedy.

The causing weather system will have crossed the Queensland coast and out of NSW by Tuesday morning.

Several weather and flood warnings remain in effect across New South Wales and Victoria.

As the trough and cold front sweep across the eastern states on Monday, the focus will shift to inland NSW, QLD, and northern VIC.

Storms are expected to erupt across western NSW and northern VIC in the morning, spreading to the western slopes and then north into Queensland as the day progresses.

While this may not be the most severe or longest-lasting of the recent thunderstorm outbreaks, there are some indications that a squall line may form during the day.

Storms could bring flash flooding, large hail, and damaging wind gusts exceeding 90km/h well into the night if this happens.

By Tuesday morning, the system will have cleared NSW and will be crossing the Queensland coast.

But that's just the beginning of an unusual weather week, as frigid air behind the cold front is set to temporarily plunge southeast Australia back into winter.

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