Queanbeyan, get ready - another severe weather warning has been issued.
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While we enjoyed a mostly sunny day on Friday, with a predicted top of 35 degrees, at 3.42pm the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning damaging winds for Queanbeyan and Canberra.
At 5.45 pm, the bureau said severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near the Brindabella National Park, the Brindabella Ranges and Brindabella.
It said the thunderstorms were moving towards the east and are forecasted to affect Queanbeyan, Belconnen, Civic, Tuggeranong, Hall, Gungahlin, Canberra Airport, South Canberra, Weston Creek and Woden Valley by 6:15 pm.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours in the South West Slopes, Australian Capital Territory and parts of the Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, Riverina and Snowy Mountains districts. Locations which may be affected include Orange, Canberra, Cooma, Yass, Parkes and Wagga Wagga.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in the Northern Tablelands and parts of the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast districts. Locations which may also be affected include Armidale, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Tabulam, Dorrigo and Uralla.
Wind gust of 109 km/hr were detected at Forbes at 4:48pm.
On Tuesday, the ACT was battered with heavy rain, hail and extreme wind conditions. The ACT Emergency Service Agency were called out to nine jobs, including three trees down. There were also reports trees and branches fallen on the Barton Highway, south of Murrumbateman, had affected traffic flow.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- Move your car 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.
- Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid on 131 388, or Endeavour Energy on 131 003 or Essential Energy on 132 080, as shown on your power bill.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
- If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
- Unplug computers and appliances.
- Avoid using the phone during the storm.
- Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
- For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
