Sydney awaits ‘soggiest weekend of summer’ as Victorian authorities defend flash flood warnings

Sydney is bracing for a very wet weekend, potentially the "soggiest of the summer," with up to 20mm of rain predicted for both Saturday and Sunday. This follows severe storms in Victoria, where Lorne and Wye River experienced an "unprecedented" downpour of 180mm in six hours on Thursday. The extreme weather washed cars into the sea along the Great Ocean Road. Victorian authorities are defending the timing of their flash flood warnings issued to holidaymakers along the surf coast. Flooding is also predicted for the NSW south coast.

Flash floods triggered by a storm forced the closure of Australia's Great Ocean Road in Victoria on Thursday. Aerial footage revealed vehicles being swept into the sea and caravan parks flooded by the intense waters. The Victoria State Emergency Service issued an emergency flash flood warning for Wye River, Kennett River, Cumberland River, Lorne, and nearby regions. Residents in the affected areas were urged to seek immediate shelter due to the dangerous conditions. The floods were a result of a severe storm impacting the coastal region.

Severe thunderstorms caused flash flooding at Wye River, along Victoria's Great Ocean Road, on Thursday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of hundreds from a major camping ground. The flooding, triggered by over 170mm of rain, impacted the Wye, Kennett, and Cumberland rivers in the Lorne area. An emergency warning was issued for the affected regions as the deluge washed cars into the sea and closed a major tourism road. The event has been described as "heartbreaking" by witnesses, with reports of caravans floating away. The extent of the damage is still being assessed.