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A severe thunderstorm warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology for the ACT remains on Monday afternoon, as the ACT Emergency Services responds to calls of storm damage in western Canberra. The ESA incident map shows reports of fallen trees and other storm damage in suburbs including Stirling, Waramanga, Rivett, Holder, Belconnen, Cook, Curtin, Aranda and Weston. Flood damage has been reported in Waramanga, Kambah and Holder. There was also a report of an impacted power line in Stirling. “Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones over the next several hours,” the bureau said at about 2.30pm. “A high pressure system near New Zealand and a trough over the state’s interior are combining to draw humid and unsettled conditions across the state, resulting in severe thunderstorm activity.” A tree was seen to have fallen down in Waramanga as a result of the storm. Locations which may be affected also include Cooma, Selwyn, Bredbo, Adaminaby and Nimmitabel. BOM forecaster Stephen Stefanac said there was a low pressure trough over western NSW. “That’s drawing in a humid and unsettled air mass from the tropics. So imagine you’ve got northeasterly winds, it’s dragging that moisture down from tropical regions into New South Wales and the ACT, and it’s very unsettled,” he said. “Over the past few days now we’ve seen storms devolve across parts of New South Wales and the ACT, and often they’ve been producing localized heavy rainfall … and occasionally they have the potential to produce other things, other phenomena like damaging winds. ” Mr Stefanac said there could possibly be a severe thunderstorm on Tuesday, but rain was expected to hold off from about Thursday for the rest of the week. “There is a possibility again, particularly [Tuesday] afternoon [and] evening, that we might have to put out another severe thunderstorm warning forecasting storms and showers about the region again, “he said.” It looks like from Wednesday on start it will start to settle down for the ICT region. There might be a lingering shower or two on Wednesday, but the potential for heavy rainfall is decreasing by Wednesday. “And then from Thursday onwards looking pretty settled as we head into the weekend for the ACT region.” The State Emergency Service advises that people should: Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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A severe thunderstorm warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology for the ACT remains on Monday afternoon, as the ACT Emergency Services responds to calls of storm damage in western Canberra.
The ESA incident map shows reports of fallen trees and other storm damage in suburbs including Stirling, Waramanga, Rivett, Holder, Belconnen, Cook, Curtin, Aranda and Weston.
Flood damage has been reported in Waramanga, Kambah and Holder. There was also a report of an impacted power line in Stirling.
“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones over the next several hours,” the bureau said at about 2.30pm.
“A high pressure system near New Zealand and a trough over the state’s interior are combining to draw humid and unsettled conditions across the state, resulting in severe thunderstorm activity.”
A tree was seen to have fallen down in Waramanga as a result of the storm.
Locations which may be affected also include Cooma, Selwyn, Bredbo, Adaminaby and Nimmitabel.
BOM forecaster Stephen Stefanac said there was a low pressure trough over western NSW.
“That’s drawing in a humid and unsettled air mass from the tropics. So imagine you’ve got northeasterly winds, it’s dragging that moisture down from tropical regions into New South Wales and the ACT, and it’s very unsettled,” he said.
“Over the past few days now we’ve seen storms devolve across parts of New South Wales and the ACT, and often they’ve been producing localized heavy rainfall … and occasionally they have the potential to produce other things, other phenomena like damaging winds. “
Mr Stefanac said there could possibly be a severe thunderstorm on Tuesday, but rain was expected to hold off from about Thursday for the rest of the week.
“There is a possibility again, particularly [Tuesday] afternoon [and] evening, that we might have to put out another severe thunderstorm warning forecasting storms and showers about the region again, “he said.
“It looks like from Wednesday on start it will start to settle down for the ICT region. There might be a lingering shower or two on Wednesday, but the potential for heavy rainfall is decreasing by Wednesday.
“And then from Thursday onwards looking pretty settled as we head into the weekend for the ACT region.”
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 meters away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energized, such as fences.
- Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavor Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
- Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- Do not 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.
- Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
- After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
- Unplug computers and appliances.
- Avoid using the phone during the storm.
- Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
- Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
- For emergency help in floods and storms, call the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
There’s been a severe thunderstorm warning issued for the ACT. Picture: BOM