Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology New South Wales TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for LARGE HAILSTONES, HEAVY RAINFALL and DAMAGING WIND For people in the Hunter, Metropolitan, North West Slopes and Plains, Northern Tablelands and parts of the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Illawarra and Central Tablelands Forecast Districts. Issued at 3:22 pm Saturday, 23 November 2013. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Armidale, Narrabri, Tamworth and Moree. Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Central West Slopes and Plains district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED. 45mm of rainfall was recorded Narrabri airpoirt in the hour from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. 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 clear of fallen power lines. * 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 6:25 pm. If severe thunderstorms develop in Sydney Newcastle Wollongong or surrounding areas, a more detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued to people in this area.
Posted on: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 05:16:47 +0000