Storms bring flash floods to Australia’s east coast. by Steph Ball
A line of storms lashed the east coast of Australia on Monday, running from the New South Wales / Queensland border to the southern tip of Tasmania. The storms triggered flash floods across Sydney, while a second line of storms developing further west brought floods to Melbourne.
Melbourne was continuing to mop up the damage today, after homes and businesses were left flooded by the spectacular storms. Emergency services were inundated by calls for help as flood waters quickly rose across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, stranding people in their cars. Dry roads are said to have been turned into rivers, as 50mm (2inches) of rain fell in a very short space of time.
The Australia Bureau of Meteorology issued severe warnings for Sydney and Melbourne on Monday morning, as the storms brought thunder and lightning and hail the size of marbles.
Sydney was also hit hard by flash floods and winds gusting over 50mph (90km/h). Homebush in western Sydney bore the brunt of the storms, with 21mm (almost an inch) of rain falling in less than half an hour. However the storms brought much needed rain to Sydney’s catchment areas. In a year when much of Australia is in an unprecedented water crisis, suffering its worst drought in a century, any rainfall is precious.
Showers are expected to continue across Melbourne today, with a risk of the odd thunderstorm still for Melbourne.
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