TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for HEAVY RAINFALL and LARGE HAILSTONES For people in the Hunter, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and parts of the Mid North Coast, Metropolitan, South Coast, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina, Lower Western, Upper Western, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts. Issued at 2:04 pm Sunday, 4 January 2015. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Parramatta, Bowral, Batemans Bay, Orange, Mudgee, Bathurst, Katoomba, Canberra, Goulburn, Yass, Tamworth and Parkes. The State Emergency Service advises that people should: * Move your car under cover. * Keep clear of creeks and storm drains. * Dont 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. The next warning is due to be issued by 5:05 pm. If severe thunderstorms develop in Sydney Newcastle Wollongong or surrounding areas or Canberra and Queanbeyan, a more detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued to people in these areas.
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 03:51:52 +0000