Victoria drenched by a month’s worth of rain in 12 hours while historic rains hit NSW, Australia

Parts of Victoria, Australia, have seen a month's worth of rain in 12 hours into Friday, January 29, 2021, while New South Wales was hit by historic rainfall, and is set for further heavy downpours and damaging winds, with severe thunderstorm warning in place.

Many locations, not only in Melbourne but also right across western and central Victoria had a month's worth of rain in less than six to 12 hours, said Dean Narramore from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), as the state "copped a drenching in the last 24 hours."

Melbourne metro recorded 40 mm (1.6 inches) in just four hours, almost hitting the average January rain of 47 mm (1.8 inches).

In a 24-hour period to Friday morning, widespread rainfall totals of 20 to 40 mm (0.8 to 1.6 inches) were recorded across the state's western region, while totals of 60 to 70 mm (2.4 to 2.7 inches) were recorded in the upper Avoca and Wimmera catchments.

The deluge resulted in inundations, prompting state emergency services to rescue trapped people. Most of the rescues were stranded drivers and passengers in their vehicles.

Almost 100 State Emergency Services (SES) units responded to more than 600 emergency calls in the past 24 hours, most of which were due to leaking roofs and flood damage.

"We know flash flooding comes up out of nowhere, so we can’t plan for where it may impact," said SES operations manager Josh Gamble, warning residents in flood-vulnerable areas to monitor conditions and prepare sandbags in event of rising waters or leave the area promptly.

In NSW, the BOM recorded 98 mm (3.8 inches) of rain in a 24 hour period in Condobolin– a quarter of the town's yearly rainfall average of 424 mm (16.7 inches). 

Temora in the Riverina registered 56 mm (2.2 inches), which was the highest daily fall in a decade. Other parts of the state also received significant rainfall amounts.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in force for the state's far west as heavy rainfall is set to continue, which may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds, the BOM warned.

Featured image credit: Victoria SES