Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Illawarra and parts of Hunter, Metropolitan, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains and Central West Slopes and Plains Forecast Districts.

Issued at 8:13 pm Saturday, 5 March 2022.

Severe thunderstorms continue through southeastern and central NSW.

Weather Situation: An upper cut-off low and associated cold front is moving across NSW this evening and continues to trigger widespread severe thunderstorms.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the Illawarra and parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains and Central West Slopes and Plains districts. Locations which may be affected include Penrith, Nowra, Bowral, Batemans Bay, Mudgee and Katoomba.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Hunter, Central Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains and Central West Slopes and Plains districts. Locations which may be affected include Coonabarabran, Glen Davis, Capertee, Kandos, Tambar Springs and Dunedoo.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Snowy Mountains district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.

Carabost recorded 36.6mm of rainfall in the 2 hours to 3:00pm

Goulburn recorded 27.4mm of rain in the 30 minutes to 4:45pm.

Lake Bathurst recorded 40.4mm of rain in the 1 hour to 5:15pm.

Majors Creek (south of Braidwood) recorded 46mm in the 3 hours to 8:00pm, including 32mm in the 30 minutes to 6:30pm.

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 at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour 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.
* Don't 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, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.