It’s been a wild and wet few days here on the east coast of Australia. A severe east coast low pressure system combined with the usual April king tides has brought some of the worst weather conditions to NSW particularly in decades. At last count at least 6 lives have been lost, some areas have received over 300 mm of rain in a 24 hour period and the Insurance Council reported this morning that over 1800 claims have been received so far totalling $129 but that figure is expected to ride dramatically once people return to damaged homes and properties and dig out their paperwork.
The State Emergency Service for which my wife works as a staff member, has so far received over 8000 calls for assistance and that figure is also expected to rise with the wild weather showing no sign of abating. Extra volunteers have been brought in from the ACT and other regions that are not affected to bolster the corps of weary and exhausted local volunteers who have been working ridiculously long shifts to try and keep up with the demand.
Recovery and reconstruction will take months and cost millions and an assessment of what went wrong and how to be better prepared will be on the agenda for all the emergency services who have had to respond to the situation.
The Hunter Valley has been worst affected with the pretty little towns of Dungog and Stroud (both regular stopovers on any northern sortie) being devastated. Houses have simply been washed off their foundations and been carried down the river until they hit something solid and stop, there to be pounded to small pieces by the ongoing force of the floodwaters.
Despite constant warnings about the danger involved in the practice, people have continued to drive into flooded causeways and roads and some have tragically paid the penalty. 2000 people on a cruise liner are waiting out the storm off the coast, enduring 11 metre swells as the ship cannot safely enter the harbour and berth. At latest estimate, they could be there for another 48 hours. “Let’s go on a cruise,” they said, “It will be fun,” they said, NOT.
People have been urged to stay home if they can and employers have been asked to be flexible with their employees if they can.
All in all, the best thing to do is stay inside, stay warm and catch up on some reading. These east coast lows usually last 24 hours and then leave across the Tasman Sea. This one is stationary and not showing any sign of moving just yet.
Oh well, it was a nice Autumn. Stay safe.
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jeffb says
That was certainly 4 days of pretty wild weather,Phil. Over 290mm here in Werri Beach! Luckily,we are very sand based and it drains a lot better than your backyard.Very sad to hear of the Newcastle/Hunter tragedies.Flash floods are so bad-especially when they hit retirement areas. Very glad the sun has shown itself again-the washing line is full. (Oh- I’m sure you meant $129 ‘Million’ in your post. Bet that goes higher re. insurance etc.) Jeff
Phil Hall says
Um, yes, that should be million 🙂 Will fix. Thanks
dunc says
YEP plenty of rain to dampen a lot of things that should be getting done outside
the only grace is that the dams will be full and we need that for sure
back to work monday so it should clear up for that
Phil Hall says
You have the wonderful ability to cut straight to the chase! Yes, it WILL probably rain on Monday.