After a relentless summer of bushfires and dry smoky conditions, Australia is now being battered by torrential rainfall.
All around the country, storm surges and flash flooding have caused homes to lose power, towns to be evacuated and roads and train lines to close.
Even pockets of bushfire-ravaged land are now experiencing extreme flooding.
Over the weekend, some areas across NSW alone experienced more than 300mm of rainfall within a 48 hours period.
“Potentially, we haven’t seen anything like this since the late 1990s,” said Bureau of Meteorology acting NSW state manager, Jane Golding, at a press conference on Saturday.
“We’ve been given a bit of breathing space but it’s just starting to increase now, this is the most intense development of the system.”
Storms and flash flooding has also affected towns in southeast Queensland.
In Western Australia, cyclone Damien brought destructive winds and heavy rainfall to Western Australia’s north. Fortunately, the cyclone has now been downgraded to category one, but there is still a risk of flooding in the next few days.
Here are just 15 photos of the extreme weather conditions affecting the country.
Storms and flash flooding in New South Wales
High tide at South Coogee – so much #water#wind and #rain. Exhilarating and terrifying #sydneystormpic.twitter.com/ERuEo2VyLe
— Dr Natali Pearson ????????♀️???????? (@sea_greeny) February 8, 2020
From fire to water. Grass fire at this spot few weeks ago, now flood at Eastern Creek on Garfield Road West. #NSWFloods#SydneyStorm#sydneyweather#ClimateChange#ClimateEmergencypic.twitter.com/3CFJUxWjnm
— Chandrika C. Hasan (@Chanvjvl) February 9, 2020
This photo is of Narribri train station, 521km northwest of Sydney. Last week it was in an area of NSW that was severely affected by drought. Today, it’s a lake. #NSWFloodspic.twitter.com/bWIP99SoJ8
— Alessandra (@AlessPickings) February 9, 2020
Sydney CBD.. #sydneystormpic.twitter.com/5q5LxGuA4K
— OnurK (@OnurKog) February 9, 2020
Now that puts a dampener on Sunday lunch ???? Old growth trees weakened by drought bowled over in torrential rains and high winds. #nsw#sydney#sydneystormpic.twitter.com/3bflPmYwnQ
— Luisa Low (@luisalow_) February 8, 2020
Katoomba Cascades, a powerful torrent and rain still bucketing down! #katoomba#katoombacascades#bluemountains#sydneyrainpic.twitter.com/SmsbcuXI3M
— Sarah Davies (@RaisedByGonks) February 9, 2020
Cooks River reclaiming the golf course #SydneyStormpic.twitter.com/phUBOmsi1H
— marc west (@westius) February 9, 2020
Pacific Highway, Asquith #SydneyStorm#sydneyweather#sydneyrainpic.twitter.com/CognWlg5ae
— Glenn Anderson (@Glenn_Anderson_) February 9, 2020
Cyclone Damien in Western Australia.
Dampier WA Currently in the eye of the cyclone, this was before. @BOM_WA has wind speeds of over 200kph #CycloneDamien#cyclone#Dampier#Karratha#westernAustralia#cyclonealleypic.twitter.com/Ju3R3zm71E
— Kel (@Kell_Gibb) February 8, 2020
Damo packing a punch#CycloneDamien#karratha#rumpic.twitter.com/CpPrfsVndz
— JT (@13_JT) February 8, 2020
#TCDamien#tcdamo#CycloneDamien@BOM_WA@abcnewspic.twitter.com/A1f2aH2qNS
— Steve Rickey (@srickey_) February 8, 2020
#CycloneDamien happening right now. pic.twitter.com/u3j1zrL95R
— Brad Gandy (@bradgandywa) February 8, 2020
#CycloneDamien I’m with WA and National officials driving around Karratha right now offering assistance if required.
Stronger Together @AWUnionpic.twitter.com/2GPP7RZ9rp
— Brad Gandy (@bradgandywa) February 9, 2020
Storms in Queensland.
Brisbane can have little a bit of flooding, as a treat. #brisbane#brisbanestorm#bigwet#flooding#ifitsfloodedforgetitpic.twitter.com/W9Fd2woENL
— Cameron Boon (@BakedBoons) February 9, 2020
The driver of this vehicle had a lucky escape at Rocklea today.
Police are pleading with drivers… don’t drive into flood waters. Back it up!
Don’t risk your life and the lives of the people who will have to rescue you. If it’s flooded, forget it! pic.twitter.com/atCVk6qjqF— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) February 9, 2020
What was the weather like where you are? Let us know in the comments below.
Feature Image: Getty.
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