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A flood watch covers most of Victoria as a severe weather system brings heavy rain to saturated catchments, with thunderstorms also threatening parts of New South Wales.
A flood watch has been issued for most of Victoria as a severe weather system dumps heavy rain across already saturated catchments, sparking widespread warnings of transport disruption and delays.
Severe Weather Sweeps Southern States
The Bureau of Meteorology issued the flood watch for the north-east, central, south-west and north-west of Victoria, as well as parts of Gippsland. In New South Wales, bursts of heavy rain accompanied by potentially damaging winds and thunderstorms are possible as a band of heavy weather sweeps the southern states. The rain is centred around a low pressure system situated over the Murray River on the NSW-Victorian border.
In Victoria, the Otway Ranges south-west of Melbourne and Gippsland face 24-hour rain totals up to 90mm, with isolated falls up to 150mm possible in elevated regions. Six-hourly totals up to 70mm have been forecast, with conditions not expected to ease until late Saturday. Gippsland is also likely to be hard hit, with 24-hour totals between 50 and 80mm likely and isolated falls up to 110mm possible, with conditions easing Sunday morning.
Saturated Soils Increase Flood Risk
Senior meteorologist Angus Hines said the soils were already saturated from recent rain. This is on top of the rain you have already had in the last few days, so I will say it again, the soils are already saturated, Hines said. Over 100mm has already fallen in parts of the Otways, with heavy rain continuing to fall on Saturday afternoon. Another 30 to 50mm on top of last night's deluge could certainly fall there, Hines said.
For now, there is just one official flood warning in place for the Bunyip River in Victoria, but Hines said more rivers were likely to see rises across the weekend. He said the situation was dynamic and it was highly likely more flood warnings would be issued. In NSW, a severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the Illawarra and parts of the south coast, central and southern tablelands, and the central west slopes and plains.
Flood Warnings and Affected Locations
Locations which may be affected include Orange, Goulburn, Dubbo, Nowra, Bowral and Bathurst. The severe weather is expected to clear by the end of the weekend.
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GuardianAus:Flood watch for most of Victoria as heavy rain continues with storms forecast in parts of NSWThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
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