The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a warning to Snowy Mountains residents at 3:10pm today for VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS which are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, damaging, locally destructive winds and large hailstones over the next several hours.
The BOM advised the storm was continuing to move east of Bredbo, with Nimmitabel and similar areas along the Great dividing Range likely to be impacted next.
The NSW SES Cooma Monaro Unit reported 33mm fell in just 30 minutes in Cooma causing flash flooding and closing the Cooma Creek crossing at Massie Street.
PHOTO: Creek crossing – Massie Street CREDIT: NSW SES Cooma Monaro Unit
The warning which remains in place for several hours forewarned of the potential for large hailstones which residents in Cooma reported via social media as being “intense”.
Nimmitabel resident Vickie Pollard was on her way to Cooma when she “Hit a really big storm,” she said.
“You couldn’t see very much ahead of you, then we hit the hail and by the time we got into Cooma, Cooma was pretty much white.”
PHOTO: Cooma after the hail storm CREDIT: Vickie Pollard
As catchments fill up this afternoon, it is a reminder to all residents that if it is flooded “forget it”.
PHOTO: Massie Street near Centennial Park CREDIT: Vickie Pollard
Massie street remains closed at the Cooma Creek crossing as of 4:30pm, with flash flooding also affecting Commissioner Street near Rotary Oval.
PHOTO: Commissioner Street near Rotary Oval CREDIT: Vickie Pollard
UPDATE Sunday February 9: A spokesperson for NSW SES Cooma Monaro Unit reported members had been assisting with repairs after this afternoon’s hail storm.
“From broken plastic roofing and collapsed ceilings to leaks caused from backing up of hail in gutters,” the spokesperson said.
PHOTO: Hail backed up on a roof in Cooma CREDIT: NSW SES Cooma Monaro Unit
“There are no current warnings for our area but with more afternoon showers and storms forecast tomorrow through to Tuesday make sure to check your property for any damage.”