Latest news with #floodwarnings
Japan Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Japan Times
Rainy season officially underway across most of country
The Meteorological Agency announced Tuesday that the Kanto-Koshin and Hokuriku regions have 'likely entered the rainy season,' marking the beginning of sustained wet weather across most of the country. The declaration follows Monday's announcement for the Tokai, Kinki, and Chugoku regions. The northern Kyushu and Shikoku regions entered the rainy season on Sunday while the season ended in Okinawa the same day, the agency said. Southern Kyushu's rainy season began unusually early, on May 16. The seasonal rain front is forecast to linger over Honshu, bringing repeated rounds of rainfall to both western and eastern Japan. It is expected to remain especially active through Wednesday, with heavy rain likely in areas including Kanto-Koshin and Hokuriku. Western Japan faces a particularly high risk of torrential downpours. While the front may temporarily weaken after Wednesday, forecasters expect it to strengthen again around Saturday, coinciding with the likely start of the rainy season in the Tohoku region. On Tuesday morning, northern Kyushu saw especially intense rain, prompting the Meteorological Agency to warn of a potential linear rainband forming later in the day. In the 24 hours through 6 a.m. Wednesday, up to 180 millimeters of rain is forecast in northern Kyushu, 150 mm in the Kinki region, and 120 mm across Chugoku and southern Kyushu. Between 6 a.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday, up to 60 mm of rain is expected in northern Kyushu. With the seasonal rains now in full swing, authorities are urging residents to remain on alert for landslides, river overflows, and flooding in low-lying areas such as underpasses. Officials recommend preparing emergency supplies, confirming multiple evacuation routes that avoid flood-prone zones, and clearing gutters and drains of debris to reduce risk before heavy rainfall begins. Information from Jiji added
The Independent
22-05-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Three killed after torrential rain and flash flooding hits Australia
Flash flooding has devastated Australia 's southeast coast, claiming three lives and stranding tens of thousands of residents. Officials warn that further downpours are expected over the next 24 hours, exacerbating the already dire situation which has seen towns cut off. The Hunter and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales have been particularly hard hit, with major flooding impacting several rural towns. The Mid North Coast region is bracing for further heavy rainfall throughout Thursday. Three people have been killed due to the flooding. Near Taree, more than 300 km north of Sydney, the body of a 63-year-old man was found in a flooded home. A second body, believed to be that of a missing man in his 30s, was discovered in floodwaters on the Mid North Coast. A 60-year-old woman was found deceased in her vehicle in West of Coffs Harbour. Police reported that the woman had been warned against driving through floodwaters by an officer late on Wednesday, but she became trapped and called for help. Emergency services were unable to reach her in time. Police said they were still searching for a missing man. "This natural disaster has been terrible for this community," New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said during a media briefing. "There's 140 flood warnings, 50,000 people are in the range where they have been asked to prepare to evacuate and could be isolated, and there's been 9,500 properties in the direct vicinity. So, we're far from out of the woods here." More than 100 schools were closed on Thursday, while thousands of properties remained without power. Cundletown in the Mid North Coast has been entirely cut off by floods, said Nicole Sammut, a nurse caring for 67 elderly residents at an aged care home, which is also being used as a shelter by emergency teams. "I came to work on Tuesday and haven't left," Sammut told Reuters. "We are up on a hill but behind us is all water. We are isolated. I've never seen the water this high." The Manning River in nearby Taree had exceeded a 100-year-old flood record, emergency authorities said. Sherinah Peck was evacuated at 2 a.m. on Wednesday from her farmhouse on the river, but her belongings were swept away, with some furniture later washing up on the coast. As she searched Old Bar beach on Thursday, strewn with debris and dead and lost livestock, for a treasured bicycle that belonged to her late mother, Peck was knocked over by a cow and injured, she said. "The cow was distressed - a wave came. I had to scramble up the sand," she told Reuters. A slow-moving coastal trough has dumped about four months of rain over the past two days, cutting off entire towns and stranding residents on roofs and the second floors of their homes, as rescuers struggle to access the area by boat or air. Minns apologised to people who had to wait for several hours for rescue crews, but assured efforts had been ramped up with 2,500 emergency services personnel being deployed. Around 590 flood rescues had been carried out, dozens of them by helicopter, NSW Police said. The helicopters have also been directing more boat rescues. "Some significant rescues have been made but unfortunately we have lost a number of lives," Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said in a press conference. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology forecast that some areas could receive up to 200 mm (8 inches) of rain through Friday, triggering life-threatening flash flooding, before the weather system is expected to weaken and track south towards Sydney.
News.com.au
16-05-2025
- Climate
- News.com.au
Heavy rain, winds blast NSW coast as snow falls across Victoria in wild bout of weekend weather
A triple threat of weather is forecast to blast millions of Aussies this weekend, as heavy rain and winds hit the east coast and snow falls in the southern alpine region. The first 'significant' snowfall of the year will hit Australia's mainland as a cold front settles in over the weekend. Snowfall to elevations as low as 900 metres has been forecasted, as a trough develops. Weatherzone reports up to 5cm of snow will gather at higher elevations with a higher chance of falls as the cold front drags moisture from a warmer than usual Tasman Sea. The low pressure troughs sitting along the east coast are also causing 'unsettled weather', according to senior meteorologist at the at the Bureau of Meteorology, Miriam Bradbury. 'This weather pattern will continue into Friday, with the potential for some more moderate rainfall across the southeast of Queensland as we move into the later part of Friday and into Saturday,' Ms Bradbury said on Friday. 'A cold front is expected to cross southeast Australia, ushering in what is likely to be the coldest weekend of the year so far. 'We'll see scattered showers and locally gusty winds developing late (on Friday), going in to early (Saturday) as the front moves through.' NSW Flood warnings have been issued in New South Wales as some areas of the state are predicted to be lashed with up to 50 to 99mm of rain in just one day. A minor flood warning has been issued for the Warrego River and the Darling River. An initial flood watch warning has also been issued for the Manning, Myall, Paterson Williams and Hunter catchments. Heavy fog has also hit Sydney, and drivers in Western suburbs are warned to take extreme care due to reduced visibility. Temperatures in the harbourside city are predicted to reach a max of 22 degrees, but will be a mostly sunny day with rains predicted for later in the evening. Queensland Queensland is also facing heavy rains, with Surfers Paradise bearing the brunt with showers up to 15mm. Brisbane is facing up to 10mm of rain, and the Sunshine Coast follows closely with up to 9mm. A minor flood warning has been issued for the Lower Diamantina River, and Eyre Creek. Brisbane is forecasted to hit a maximum of 26 degrees, and a 90 per cent chance of rain up to 10mm. Thunderstorms may batter the urban hub this morning, but are predicted to ease as the day goes on. Victoria Lucky Victorians could catch early snowfall, especially in North Central and North East regions. Lake Mountain, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek will all probably see snow, following rainfall. Regional Victoria could also receive some drought relief, as particular regions may experience showers. Swan Hill, Ouyen, Horsham, Stawell, Nhill, Edenhope, Lake Eildon, most of Central Victoria, West and South Gippsland and East Gippsland will be hit with rainfall. Melburnians are predicted to cop 15mm of rainfall with a 95 per cent chance of rain and temperatures of up to 14 degrees. It will be a cloudy day with winds up to 25km/h. South Australia Although South Australia is facing minimal showers, a flood warning has still been issued for inland rivers as water levels remain elevated and fall slowly, impacting drivers. Floodwaters from the Warburton River are flowing into northern parts of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre and will continue for several weeks. Along Cooper Creek at Walkers Crossing and Coongie Lakes, creek levels remain elevated and continue to fall slowly. Floodwaters may cut roads and access tracks, and in particular river crossings, impacting travel in the region. Adelaide is forecasted with a 70 per cent chance of rain of up to 3mm, and temperatures up to 16 degrees. Northern Territory Darwin will be sunny and 31 degrees, with a zero chance of rain. Smoke haze may impact the region, and winds of up to 25km/h will ease later in the day. Western Australia Perth will experience similar weather conditions with a sunny 26 degrees, with a 5 per cent chance of rain. Winds of up to 20km/h will ease around midday, and could pick up again in an easterly direction in the evening. It will be chilly in Tasmania, with a maximum temperature of 11 degrees predicted for the day, along with a 30 per cent chance of rain. Small hail could rain over the region, along with winds of up to 30km/h.
