From 34m agoKey events30m agoWhat we know so far34m agoSecond body found after boat capsized, taking storm death toll to seven2h agoFirefighter dead as bushfire threatens homes in WA2h agoGirl’s body found in stormwater drain2h agoWelcomeFilters BETAKey events (5)Queensland (5)Bureau of Meteorology (4)SES (3)Energex (3)Victoria (3)6m ago19.34 EST
The Victorian SES state agency commander Alistair Drayton said the weather was beginning to ease and “we’re certainly past the worst of it”, but warned of continued flooding.
He told 3AW:
Not to say the catchments and tributaries aren’t still flowing and that’s one of the things we need to keep watching today.
As the weather improves, Victorians are warned to be careful when swimming as the rain has swept contaminants across Port Phillip Bay and into the ocean.
EPA Victoria chief environmental scientist Mark Taylor said water quality remained poor for up to 48 hours after heavy rain:
Higher levels of enterococci, waterborne contaminants, bring an increased risk of skin rashes, eye irritations and even gastro, for people and their pets if they are swimming in poor quality water.
As we flagged earlier, only 13 beaches around Port Phillip Bay are considered “fair” to swim in by the EPA, following the heavy rains and thunderstorms.
- with AAP
16m ago19.25 EST
Queensland premier ‘heartbroken’
Queensland premier Steven Miles has paid tribute to those who have died amid the destructive storms in south-east Queensland.
In a post to X/Twitter, he wrote:
I’m heartbroken to hear of the people who died overnight from the destructive storms in South East Queensland. Every Queenslander will have those families in our thoughts and prayers.
Please stay safe Queensland, stay away from fallen power lines and from flooded waterways …
There are still homes without power. The storms have made restoring power safely extraordinarily difficult but energex workers are working around the clock to get the lights back on.
As of 10.15am local time, 91,995 south-east Queenslanders were without power, according to Energex.
Updated at 19.28 EST20m ago19.21 EST
‘Please take care’
Emergency management minister Murray Watt has urged people to take care amid the “dangerous conditions summer is bringing”.
In a post to X/Twitter, he wrote:
So sad to see more tragic loss of life from severe storms, along with a volunteer firefighter in WA. Pls take care in the dangerous conditions summer is bringing.
So sad to see more tragic loss of life from severe storms, along with a volunteer firefighter in WA. Pls take care in the dangerous conditions summer is bringing. https://t.co/tWqe5zCWTw
— Senator Murray Watt (@MurrayWatt) December 27, 2023Updated at 19.27 EST22m ago19.19 EST
Thunderstorms possible
Isolated thunderstorms are likely over eastern parts of NSW and the ACT today.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that severe thunderstorms are possible in the state’s south-east, and for the far north coast and…
2023-12-26 19:28:27
Source from www.theguardian.com
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