Record-breaking rain pounded Western Australia as Tropical Cyclone Sean wreaked havoc across the state. The Bureau of Meteorology’s meteorologist Angus Hines described Tropical Cyclone Sean as still severe, despite the powerful weather system moving away from Australia’s mainland. The cyclone, maintaining a category 3 level, caused chaos with several people needing rescue after being stranded in floodwaters in WA’s northwest.
“It slowly is losing its influence over our weather,”
Mr. Hines mentioned, referring to the cyclone’s trajectory and impact on the region. Karratha saw a staggering 274mm of rain within just 24 hours until Monday morning, setting a new record for the area. Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe highlighted that the heavy rainfall was long overdue for this part of Pilbara.
The forecast indicated that Tropical Cyclone Sean would gradually shift southward along Western Australia’s coastline, weakening as it progressed. Although the worst of the weather seemed to have passed, flood warnings remained active for parts of Kimberley and Pilbara Districts. Initial flood alerts were issued for various rivers like Lyndon-Minilya Rivers and Onslow Coast.
Amidst the cyclonic conditions, multiple individuals had to be rescued due to their vehicles getting stuck in floodwaters in WA’s northwest, prompting emergency responses from authorities like Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). Residents from Barrow Island to Ningaloo were under an emergency warning advising them to stay indoors as evacuation was no longer an option.
Besides the deluge brought by Tropical Cyclone Sean, Western Australia also faced scorching heatwaves shattering records across different regions. Perth experienced its hottest day in ten years at 43.6C while other areas like Geraldton airport hit a sweltering 49.4C matching last year’s record high.
As temperatures soared across Perth and Brisbane with forecasts predicting further spikes up to Friday, experts warned residents about caring for themselves during this intense heatwave period. Queensland braced itself for exceptionally warm days ahead with temperatures expected to soar well above average levels.
In light of these extreme weather patterns sweeping through both Queensland and New South Wales (NSW), residents were strongly advised to take necessary precautions against heat-related illnesses by staying hydrated, finding cool shelter spaces, and looking out for vulnerable groups like seniors or young children who are more susceptible during such harsh conditions.
With Sydney set to reach highs of 34C on Wednesday followed by cooler temperatures in Melbourne dropping down significantly from Tuesday’s peak at 33C down to 22C on Wednesday; remaining vigilant about changing climate dynamics becomes crucial for residents living across different states affected by these varying climatic challenges.
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