“The flood risk and the threat remains across NSW today and will do so for some days to come,” NSW Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said in a flood update on Tuesday.

Loading

SES Commissioner Carlene York said Bega is one priority, but the agency was also dealing with major flooding in the Western Plains, South West Slopes and the Riverina regions. Major flooding is still occurring at multiple inland towns, including at Wee Waa, Warren, Moree, Gunnedah and Moama.

As rivers across the mid and northern parts of the state begin to recede, weather experts have shifted their concerns towards a “hybrid cyclone” that looks set to form off the east coast of Victoria on Tuesday. The system will bring heavy rain to eastern Victoria, southeast NSW and eastern Tasmania until at least Friday.

The hybrid cyclone is anticipated due to the collision of two low pressure-systems - one near the NSW-Victoria border and one off the north coast of NSW.

Sydney has recorded its wettest October on record, with more than 286mm of rain recorded this month, pushing the city’s record-breaking annual total to 2387mm. Previously, the wettest October was in 1987 when 285mm of rain was recorded.

Climate change continues to influence the Australian and global climate. Australia’s climate has warmed by about 1.47 degrees in the period between 1910 and 2020.

Get to the heart of what’s happening with climate change and the environment. Our fortnightly Environment newsletter brings you the news, the issues and the solutions. Sign up here.