Hold on tight, because the weather in Australia is about to get wild! New South Wales is being hammered by torrential rain, and the forecast suggests it's only going to get worse across multiple states this weekend. The question is, are we truly prepared for the intensity of these storms, and what's causing them to become so frequent?
Over the past few days, the New South Wales south coast has been pummeled with staggering amounts of rain, with some areas recording over 100mm. To put that in perspective, that's like dumping a small swimming pool's worth of water on every square meter! Moruya saw a whopping 146mm, while Bodalla wasn't far behind with 136mm. And the worst part? This weather system is steadily creeping northward, threatening even more regions.
Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, warns that the Illawarra, Sydney, Central Coast, and Hunter regions are all in the firing line. We're talking about showers and thunderstorms that could "easily see" 30-50mm of rainfall, with isolated areas potentially experiencing a deluge of 80-100mm. Imagine driving through that!
In fact, north Parramatta already got a taste of what's to come on Saturday morning, when a heavy storm unleashed 35mm of rain in just half an hour. "That’s what we’re going to continue to see today with storms," Narramore cautioned. "Showers will continue in the south [of the state] with heavy falls and storms more through the Illawarra, Sydney and up to the Central Coast and Hunter."
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has been stretched thin, receiving a massive 880 calls for help from those affected by the extreme weather. Flash flooding hit Mona Vale and Palm Beach particularly hard on Saturday afternoon. Around 750 SES volunteers are working tirelessly on the ground, responding to the devastation caused by the thunderstorms.
Acting assistant commissioner Sonya Oyston, the NSW SES state duty commander, is urging everyone to stay informed and monitor weather warnings closely. She emphasizes that "We’re starting to see many catchments become wet and we have already seen the impacts of flash flooding right across the coast and ranges, so it’s important people take the necessary precautions [and] don’t become complacent."
And this is the part most people miss: It's not just about the immediate danger, but also the long-term impact on our infrastructure and environment. Oyston highlighted some harrowing incidents from the past 24 hours, including flood rescues in Albion Park, Picton, and Marulan, where people were trapped in their vehicles by rapidly rising floodwaters.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some argue that the emergency services are spread too thin and lack the resources to adequately respond to these increasingly frequent extreme weather events. Is enough being done to prepare for these disasters, or are we simply reacting after the fact?
This wet weekend in NSW follows closely on the heels of severe storms that dumped a staggering 180mm of rain in just six hours on Victoria’s Lorne and Wye River. This triggered flash flooding along the Great Ocean Road, causing significant damage to campgrounds and sweeping away vehicles and tents. It's a stark reminder of the destructive power of these storms.
Adding to the danger, hazardous surf warnings are in effect for beaches along the east coast, stretching from Newcastle down to Batemans Bay, as well as the Eden coast. NSW police are strongly advising people to stay out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas. Rock fishers are also urged to avoid coastal rock platforms and seek safer, sheltered locations.
Coramba, a town north-west of Coffs Harbour, was hit by hailstones measuring 5-7cm in diameter on Friday, and more storms are expected in the region on Saturday. According to Narramore, north-east NSW, including the mid-north coast and the Northern Rivers, as well as south-east Queensland, are bracing for another round of severe storms that could bring large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall.
The good news, if you can call it that, is that the worst of the weather in Victoria has passed, with only isolated showers and thunderstorms forecast for far-eastern and north-east Victoria. However, widespread flood warnings remain in place for much of inland, northern, and western Queensland, and severe storms are still expected in the state’s south-east.
A tropical low is also predicted to bring heavy storms and rainfall to the Top End and Kimberley regions throughout the weekend. In short, it's a wet and wild weekend for much of Australia.
And finally, the elephant in the room: the climate crisis. It's undeniably making Australia more vulnerable to extreme weather events and natural disasters, including flash flooding. The World Meteorological Organization recently reported that 2025 continued a three-year trend of "extraordinary global temperatures," with surface air temperatures averaging 1.48C above preindustrial levels. What role do you think climate change is playing in these extreme weather events? Is it time for more drastic action?
What are your thoughts on the severity of these storms and the preparedness of our communities? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below. Do you think enough is being done to address the root causes of these increasingly frequent extreme weather events? Let's discuss!
