Storm Australian Severe Weather Forum

Severe Weather Discussion => Australian Severe Storms, Weather Events and Storm Chasing => Topic started by: Jason(pato) on 18 May 2009, 10:18:51 AM

Title: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Jason(pato) on 18 May 2009, 10:18:51 AM
Gday All,

After watching the models for a few days now it now appears that a significant rainfall event is going to unfold. GFS accumulated precipitation has been bouncing some very juicy totals up and down the NENSW/SEQLD coast for the past few days now. Both GFS and EC are both agreeing on a deep E-NE flow onto the coast and in combination with a developing upper trough/cold pool this event looks to be a near certainty now. GFS places the cold pool west of Gympie on Friday morning. Also of interest is the LI's which are in negative figures, varying between -2 to -4 between Gympie and Lismore. I'd assume that this will aid in development of rain bearing clouds (someone with a bit more expertise may want to confirm this). I think I've only scratched the surface of the forecast and I welcome others to have their input and views. Feel free to correct or add valuable information as I am still learning the art of forecasting rain events.

Btw here is the latest 00z forecast accumulated precipitation from BSCH

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/gfs2009051700_precip.png)

As you can see this looks fairly substantial and I'm sure those in and around the Coffs Harbour district are hoping this event stays well north of them.

Cheers Jason
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Richary on 18 May 2009, 10:34:09 AM
Interestingly if you run the prediction for the next 4 days only that large amount of rainfall around/west of Coffs Harbour isn't there, only the Brisbane one.

Then days 4-6 are when Coffs gets it, 500+mm over 48 hours. So Thursday and Friday could be interesting up the coast. The models also show the bulk of the Brisbane rain happening on Wednesday.
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Michael Bath on 19 May 2009, 02:21:45 AM
The overnight GFS run has again focused the heaviest falls near the QLD/NSW border with over 700mm for Lismore. Most of the rain will commence Tuesday night with all models on board. EC does keep rainfall totals lower than GFS but still major flood potential.
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Colin Maitland on 19 May 2009, 01:15:44 PM
As regards the rain event for NE NSW and SEQ, BOM has issued this latest severe weather alert at 5.35 pm Monday the 18th May. It states:

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for Flash Flooding
For people in the Southeast Coast District and the Wide Bay and Burnett district
south of Sandy Cape
Issued at 5:35 pm on Monday 18 May 2009

Synoptic Situation:
A strong upper low will move across southern Queensland during the next few
days. As it moves eastward, this system will generate a strong surface trough
about the southern coast.   

Areas of heavy rain are expected to develop about the Southeast Coast district
and the Wide Bay and Burnett district south of Sandy Cape from Tuesday night and
extending into Wednesday and Thursday. Some localised flash flooding is possible
associated with the heavier falls.

Winds around the southern coast are expected to increase from about mid week.

The State Emergency Service advises that people in the affected area should:

· avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters

Contact the SES on 132 500 for emergency assistance if required.


The next warning is due to be issued by 11:00 pm

Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Colin Maitland on 20 May 2009, 02:26:18 AM
We have had constant rain all night in Brisbane and surrounding areas. at 8.00 am this morning, the Brisbane airport has registered 77mm of rain since 9am yesterday with most of that occurring through the night.

Brisbane 52mm
Beerburrum 74mm
Beaudesert AWS 62.4mm
Coolangatta 46mm
Archerfield 43mm
Upper Springbrook AL 140mm
Clearview TM *  105mm
Tallebudgera Ck Dam AL *124mm
Mt Tamborine AL *135mm
Maclean Bridge AL * 87mm
Toombul(Nudgee Rd) AL *92mm

There will be road closures due to flash flooding as the rain continues. There is still a current weather warning issued for SEQ as the system continues to move east. 

Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Michael Bath on 20 May 2009, 04:16:50 AM
The Brisbane radar 24 hour rainfall accumulation shows the extent of falls well:

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/radar_accumulation_20090519.png)

One site in the Tweed Valley managed to reach 100mm overnight with most parts of the Tweed and Brunswick over 50mm. The latest charts suggest the rain will focus in NE NSW after today, with the peak rainfall max again around the Bellingen Valley.
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Mike on 20 May 2009, 04:27:20 AM
Some excellent rainfall stats for those areas.  Has this season  been beneficial for the catchment areas and dams?   We don't get to see a lot of info re the dam levels media wise - unless you tune into the Weather Channel - but there's some significant areas of very high cloud tops shown in the GFS graphic!
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Michael Bath on 20 May 2009, 08:33:12 AM
Not the main Brisbane ones yet Mike - though that may change in the next 24 hours.

BoM have issued a severe weather warning and flood watch for most of Northeast NSW - and also a media release

Quote
Significant Weather Media Release
Issued at 1304 on Tuesday the 19th of May 2009

Flooding Threat For Northeast NSW

Residents in northeast NSW are being urged to prepare for heavy rain and
flooding as a weather event unfolds later Wednesday through to Friday. The
Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning and Flood Watch for
the area.
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Mike on 20 May 2009, 12:15:57 PM
Thanks for the update, Michael.  An interesting low pressure system indeed.  Amazing how so much rainfall can come from such a stationary system but at least it is active which is the main focus of interest.
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Harley Pearman on 20 May 2009, 01:22:53 PM
Brisbane Rainfall - 19 May 2009

The Bureau of Meteorology network of rain gauges throughout Brisbane highlights how much rain fell across the city from 9 am 18/5/2009 to 9 am 19/5/2009.

Generally, the further inland the less rain that fell.

The highest rainfalls across Brisbane city in this period are:-

Gordon Park Alert - 91 mm.
Lytton Alert - 92 mm.
Nudgee Road Alert at Toombul - 99 mm.

Although not shown in the plot below, regions just west of the Gold Coast just to the south of Brisbane received higher totals during the same period including:-

Tomerwin Alert and Hotham Creek Alert - 104 mm each.
Clearview - 105 mm.
Benobble Alert - 107 mm.
Tallebudgera Creek Dam - 124 mm.
Lushcombe Alert - 125 mm.
Mt Tamborine (2 rain gauges) - 135 and 136 mm respectively.
Upper Springbrook Alert - 140 mm (Highest total for the period).

Totals were also relatively high just south of the state border in New South Wales around Tweed Heads and nearby areas but falls tapered away further south.

It is noted that substantial rainfall is occurring across Northern Brisbane suburbs and the Sunshine Coast from 9 am 19/5/09 to present which is likely to continue for a while.

In Sydney some light shower activity has occurred and the showers only reached Sydney's western suburbs around Blacktown after 6.30 pm although falls are light.

The Brisbane rainfall plot below is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology "Water and the Land" site at http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld/ (http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld/)

Harley Pearman
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Colin Maitland on 21 May 2009, 09:20:43 AM
this is a really severe weather event that is occurring in SEQ and heading south. I have not seen this much rain for years and heavy. It has been torrential causing widespread flooding and damage. The wind is picking up and the threat is expected to last another day or so then easing to showers. It cant come quick enough, I will probably be offline for a few days due to our office flooding, due to the tile roof not been able to take the amount of rain and wind, therefore I am just about to move everything out. Be interesting to see the stats when I get back. 
 Col
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Michael Bath on 21 May 2009, 09:48:25 AM
Thanks for the report Col - hope you are able to protect things.

Been some major flooding in the Greater Brisbane area today with some very significant totals including falls of close to 200mm in 5 hours from 9am today (20th May).

The rain has spread into the Northern Rivers, mostly the Tweed Valley with a flood warning there too now.

Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Harley Pearman on 21 May 2009, 02:54:47 PM
Brisbane rainfall for 20 May 2009

Some substantial rainfalls across Brisbane. I have looked at the Water and the Land site at the Bureau of Meteorology for the rainfall figures. The figures are for the 24 hours from 9 am 19/5/2009 to 9 am 20/5/2009.

Wamuran Alert - 268 mm (This station is to the NNW of Brisbane).
Mt Glorious Alert - 253 mm.
Baxters Creek Alert - 227 mm.
Strathpine - 206 mm.

The plot below from the "Water and the Land" http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld/ (http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld/) show the rainfall for the city. Northern Brisbane received the heaviest falls, generally over 100 mm while southern Brisbane received between 62 mm and 99 mm and the Ipswich area to the south west receiving lighter falls of between 35 and 60 mm.

The heaviest falls for the period were confined to areas just north of Brisbane. The heaviest falls that I can find are:-

Goodwin Beach - 332 mm.
Beerburrum - 302 mm.
Warmuran Alert - 286 mm (As previously mentioned).
Burpengary (Rowley Road) - 261 mm.

Since 9 am 20/5/09, Brisbane has received further extensive rainfalls and some falls are considerable. From 9 am to 7.50 pm, Mt Coot Tha Alert has received 236 mm.

The extensive rainfalls have now moved into the north east corner of New South Wales.

Sydney rainfalls 20/5/09

Of interest small portions of the Sydney Basin received some reasonable falls from 9 am 19/5/09 to 9 am 20/5/09 being Cronulla South - 73 mm, Bellambi AWS - 61 mm, Audley Weir - 56 mm and Woronora Dam - 50 mm. These were the highest falls outside the far north east corner of New South Wales.

Blacktown where I live received 20 mm for the same period.

Harley Pearman
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Michael Bath on 22 May 2009, 02:18:27 AM
Getting more serious for Lismore now though it does require a lot more rain before there will be major impacts.   99mm here since 9am yesterday.   

It got VERY windy this morning with gusts exceeding 130km/h at Cape Byron several times.


MODERATE FLOOD WARNING
FOR THE WILSONS RIVER AT LISMORE
Issued at 7:56 AM on Thursday the 21st of May 2009

Flood Warning Number: 2


Average of 115 millimetres of rain has fallen during the past 24 hours to 6 am
today. Rainfall intensity has increased the past 3 hours with 40 millimetres
falling during this period. Further heavy rain in the order of 65 millimetres
is forecast for the next 12 hours.

Moderate flooding is expected at Lismore late tonight.

Further heavy rainfall is expected over the next 24 to 48 hours which could
produce further river rises. The situation is being closely monitored and
revised predictions will be issued if necessary.

At this stage it is not possible to predict the flood peak because of
uncertainty over how much more rain will fall.



Predicted River Heights/Flows:

Lismore - exceed minor flood level (4.2 metres AHD) around noon (21/05/09)
- exceed moderate flood level (7.2 metres AHD) around midnight (21/05/09)
- with forecast rainfall possibly exceed 9.0 metres AHD
around 9 am (22/05/09) with moderate flooding
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Chris. on 22 May 2009, 04:25:43 AM
Warwick Qld Severe Storms. 20th May.

Got a break in the rain late yesterday afternoon. The rain has been phenomenal to say the least. I had read about severe wind down the coast during the day but we didn't receive it them till 5pm when I go this set. The sky cleared and showed the fronts associated with the severe weather we have been receiving and I was fast running out of light. There was no lightning just ferocious freezing cold wind.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/3547853643_0f6771965a_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3547853363_f4a47fdd52_o.jpg)


Had trouble with attachments. Would only allow one and I hosted the two above.
Regards,
Chris.









Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Michael Bath on 22 May 2009, 07:42:50 AM
A few pics from my local area in the past hour just after the rain stopped.

Near Eltham school

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/thumbs/2009052101.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/photos/2009052101.jpg)

Eltham

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/thumbs/2009052102.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/photos/2009052102.jpg)

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/thumbs/2009052103.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/photos/2009052103.jpg)

Wilsons River at Booyong (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=booyong,+nsw&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=55.623725,69.345703&ie=UTF8&ll=-28.747117,153.451452&spn=0.055536,0.068064&z=14). Water was nearly 2 metres over the road and rising.

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/thumbs/2009052104.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/photos/2009052104.jpg)

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/thumbs/2009052105.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/photos/2009052105.jpg)



Hi Chris - yeah - you can attach one, post, then edit post to add more. Have not been able to work out the bug. MB
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: jab_au on 22 May 2009, 10:43:44 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMItQl-xLmE

Went out the the Belongil Spit at Byron Bay, it's blowing a gale. (2:40PM)
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Michael Bath on 22 May 2009, 11:37:57 AM
Second (and possibly third) small low is coming ashore along the Tweed Coast at present (530pm 21/5). Had 23mm here in 90 mins and the barometer dropped 3hpa in 30 mins !   Biggest drop I've seen. You can see the drops in the pressure in the Byron obs:

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN60801/IDN60801.94599.shtml (http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN60801/IDN60801.94599.shtml)

(I'll save these later)
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Michael Bath on 22 May 2009, 03:32:12 PM
How's the radar atm - another cyclone !!   Third today to hit the same part of the coast

Power has been off for 3.5 hours here. 90mm since 9am now.....

Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: enak_12 on 22 May 2009, 03:36:59 PM
Certainly is some wild weather out there I went and had a look at the crazy seas today and took some pics..waves were easily clearing the break walls around the jetty in Coffs.

(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/enak12/May%2020-22%202009/IMG_2547copy.jpg)

(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/enak12/May%2020-22%202009/IMG_2548copy.jpg)

The usually calm harbour is a raging mess

(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/enak12/May%2020-22%202009/IMG_2582coy.jpg)

(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/enak12/May%2020-22%202009/IMG_2601copy.jpg)

Waves were crashing on to this boat shed from the other side of the break wall

(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/enak12/May%2020-22%202009/IMG_2559copy.jpg)

One of the many showers/storms coming ashore

Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Richary on 22 May 2009, 03:42:17 PM
Does look rather cyclonic on the radar doesn't it. Shame the charts aren't detailed enough to probably reflect the real level of the various lows. The wind diagram also looks rather interesting (and cyclonic).

While I am here might as well give a Sydney update. Some local flooding in places last night, Audley Weir as usual and a few spots around the northern beaches had road problems. But really any heavy showers have been overnight with very little during the day so far apart from yesterday from about 4pm. We did have one nice crack of thunder out of nowhere about 4pm yesterday. Today just a couple of light showers in the morning before 8am and tonight after about 6pm.

Hoping it doesn't get too nasty there in both Lismore and where I have friends in Coffs. The news reports of Brisbane and the Gold Coast looked nasty, furniture blowing off the top of high rises into the street. Probably luckily only one person has been killed by flying debris. But they did say winds were equivalent to a Force 2 hurricane.



Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: jab_au on 22 May 2009, 05:00:31 PM
North Lismore has been given the word to evacuate.
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Richary on 23 May 2009, 02:50:58 AM
Lismore will be on tenterhooks with the predicted peak only 20cm below the levee. Where my parents used to live near the Showground would be nicely underwater by now, not sure if 10.4 would be in the house or still under it (it was one of those nicely built up Queenslander style ones).
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Michael Bath on 23 May 2009, 04:42:12 AM
With the rate of rise and the amount of water now coming down the Leycester Creek (which meets the Wilsons in Lismore) it is getting very touch and go for topping the CBD levee - only needs to rise another 40cm or so.

Power still off here - almost 17 hours, and phone decided it had had enough too. Amazing the ADSL works though.

Had one large tree come down and some others snapped off during the wild winds just before 6pm. The amount of debris on the roads is the most I've ever seen round here. goes to show what 3 small intense LOWs can do!

oh, and the cams and AWS are still running though intermittently due to the generator not always on.

http://australiasevereweather.com/video/webcam.htm (http://australiasevereweather.com/video/webcam.htm)
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Jason(pato) on 23 May 2009, 08:08:29 AM
Gday All,

Well fortunately where I live in South Lismore was spared the worst of the flooding. Managed to get out and about this morning and grab some pics. 

Heard of a road collapse in Goonellabah, which is on top of the hill above Lismore itself. A normally placcid creek which runs under the road turned into a raging torrent last night and undermined the road. For those of you who have seen the youtube video of the road collapsing and the pipe coming up I'd imagine this would have been a very similar scene.

Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5716.jpg)

There is a walkway in there somewhere

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5718.jpg)

The drainage pipe ended up a further 50m down from the collapse

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5720.jpg)

Ventured into town to have a look around. Water in the usual low lying area of the basin.

Two cars either washed down or got stranded.

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5726.jpg)

Junction of Leycester Creek and Wilsons River

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5736.jpg)

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5738.jpg)

Putt Putt anyone

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5740.jpg)

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5743.jpg)

Wilsons River, Ballina Street Bridge

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5752.jpg)

Leycester Creek, Tuncester

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5755.jpg)

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5757.jpg)

Leycester Creek from the Robert White Bridge. Had to take a 10 shot panorama at 17mm to capture the full width of the river.

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/pano-4.jpg)

Ok so thats it. A rather nerve wracking event from my perspective, but thankfully we avoided the worst of it. It's only gunna be a matter of time before we get the real big one. When that happens is anyones guess but we are long overdue for a flood of 1974 proportions.

Hope you enjoy,

Cheers Jason












Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Colin Maitland on 23 May 2009, 09:27:47 AM
Words cannot justly describe what has and is happening over the last 48+ hours. My family has been fortunate, with a minor flood damage bill of a thousand or so  dollars ( being a builder we can repair the damage at minimal cost,) and only having the frustration of not being able to find any paper work that is now laying in every other room of the house.

And I say fortunate when you look at the damage caused by the floods and wind,to the roads, bridges, homes, schools, parks and businesses. The erosion of many of our beaches. The lose of a life of a Gold Coast real estate agent who was showered with glass, badly lacerated and went into cardiac arrest when his office window exploded after being hit by debris from another building. The high rise buildings on the Gold Coast acted as wind tunnels and as the 100 +km/h gale force winds blew it turned everday items into deadly flying missiles. It ripped off roofs, blew furniture of balconies, ripped the top off a camper van hurling it down 4 lanes of traffic. It was carnage every where. Now Northern NSW is facing the fury of these complex lows.

There is the  phsyclological and emotional stress of those who have lost nearly everything. Some have just rebuilt their lives and businesses from previous floods and storm damage from approx. six months ago, they have just once again lost everything, some do not know if they can go through the rebuilding process again.


The wave buoys in Brisbane and the Tweed have registered max heights of 11M. Byron and Ballina were reported at 13.4M by the Air sea rescue on the news bulletins last night and today.

As we approach the weekend SEQ and NSW is still on severe weather alert as the low is expected to move north. The report from BOM is

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for Damaging Winds, and Abnormally High Tides and Dangerous Surf
For people in coastal parts of the Southeast Coast forecast district and Fraser
Island.
Issued at 11:00 am on Friday 22 May 2009

Synoptic Situation:
A strong upper low is located over the Wide Bay and Burnett district and is
expected to move off the coast late today. A deep low pressure trough lies near
the northern NSW coast, and is expected to move north on Saturday. A strong
pressure gradient is in place between this system and a large high over the
southern Tasman Sea.

Dangerous surf conditions and beach erosion will continue along the Southeast
Coast, mainly along the Gold Coast today, extending north to Fraser Island
during Saturday. Tides will be higher than normal, and are expected to exceed
the highest tide level of the year on the evening high tides today and Saturday,
with some inundation of low lying areas possible.

Damaging winds with gusts to 100 km/h may develop about the exposed coast and
islands south of Double Island Point during Saturday.
The State Emergency Service advises that people in the affected area should:
 
· if near the coastline, stay well away from the water's edge
· secure loose outdoor items

Contact the SES on 132 500 for emergency assistance if required.


 
I truly hope everyone is OK and stay alert as this dangerous weather remains with us. It is now just starting to rain on the Northside of Brisbane once again after a nearly two days of reprieve. 

Stay safe

Colin 
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Antonio (stormboy) on 23 May 2009, 02:08:12 PM
hello all just one thing before i begin i have resized my pics to a minimum of 145kb so ill be doing a FEW posts.

wow i cant just believe the powe and furious winds we have been expiriencing here in ballina our hole town is just ruined just smashed....
the wind speeds last night knocked out our power for an amazing 15hours
here are the first 3 pics at the Golf course accross the road from us.
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Antonio (stormboy) on 23 May 2009, 02:11:52 PM
unfortunatley this one can only fit 2 images so here they are
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Antonio (stormboy) on 23 May 2009, 02:14:36 PM
so here are 3 more sorry for so many posts but i cant make the file sizes any smaller.
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Antonio (stormboy) on 23 May 2009, 02:17:13 PM
my second last post here are 2 more images the next post is the last.
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Antonio (stormboy) on 23 May 2009, 02:20:24 PM
now heres the last one we all thought that yay the suns out but uh..oh whats this? later after this pic was taken a storm is CURRENT NOW and a little wind so lets hope it wont get too bad. i am uploading a youtube video of floods in ross lane that we had to drive thru with half a meter of water. that video is on air now.

movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRi9JkznGRw#lq-lq2-hq)

just an update now ballina , byron , lismore , kyogle have been declared a natural disaster area and its getting very windy again now NOT GOOD
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Harley Pearman on 23 May 2009, 05:11:58 PM
Rainfall for NE New South Wales and SE Queensland

Some significant rainfalls from 9 am 20/5/2009 up until 9 am 21/5/2009 for north east New South Wales occurred and the highest falls for the period were:-

Mullumbimby - 183 mm.
Lacks Creek (Middle Pocket) - 182 mm.
Myocum - 181 mm.
Green Pigeon - 175 mm.
Tweed Heads - 143 to 146 mm from the local rain gauges.
Murwillimbah - 145 mm.
Tumblegum - 137 mm.
Byron Bay - 136 mm.

Generally falls across the Northern Rivers largely ranged from 100 to 190 mm for the period.

In Brisbane, the rainfall eased after 9 am but the most significant falls for the same period were:-

Gold Creek Reservoir Alert - 286 mm.
Mt Coot Tha Alert - 268 mm.
Pullenvale Alert - 244 mm (Western Brisbane).
Jindalee Alert - 233 mm.
Colleges Crossing Alert - 221 mm.
Koralee - 215 mm.
Enoggera Dam Alert - 214 mm.
Alderley - 206 mm.

Generally other falls across the western suburbs ranged from 101 to 190 mm.
Generally rainfalls across Brisbane's eastern suburbs ranged from 36 to 99 mm.
Rainfall across the NE area of Brisbane ranged from 43 to 98 mm for the period.

For the period 9 am 21/5/2009 to 9 am 22/5/2009, the heavier falls moved further into the Northern Rivers and Coffs Harbour region of New South Wales. The heaviest falls were:-

Northern Rivers

Mullumbimby - 200 mm.
Glen Elgin - 198 mm.
Goonengery - 178 mm.
Casino - 173 mm.
Lismore (Actually at Richmond Hill) - 172 mm.

Northern Tablelands

Some of the big falls occurred over the eastern parts of the Northern Tablelands. Glenn Innes received 122 mm yet Armidale 99 km to the south received 15 mm.

Coffs Harbour / Bellinger Valley Region

Bellingen - 265 mm.
Lowanna - 258 mm.
Dorrigo Alert - 251 mm.
Dorrigo - 227 mm.
Cooks Creek 192 mm.
Upper Darkwood - 189 mm.
Bowra Sugarloaf 173 mm.

The Bellinger Valley has received the third big rain event since February 2009 and the highest totals in New South Wales for the period. Nearby Coffs Harbour received 77 to 89 mm for the period.

The figures are obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology network of rain gauges available at "Water and the Land".

The 7 day rain plot generated from the Bureau of Meteorology "Water and the Land" site at http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/silo/rain_maps.cgi (http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/silo/rain_maps.cgi) is provided. It is generated for the period 16/5/09 to 22/5/09. It shows the coastal region of north east New South receiving from 200 to 300 mm. It also shows that the big falls have been coastal with lighter but still worthwhile falls across the northern inland of the state.

It also shows that Sydney has received some reasonable totals of between 50 and 100 mm (ie - 50 mm falling at Blacktown where I live from numerous shower activity).

Harley Pearman
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Michael Bath on 24 May 2009, 06:25:10 AM
A few flood pics to add to Pato's from yesterday. A 24 hour blackout, no phone, and internet outages have made things difficult. I sympathise to anyone else who lost services and experienced property damage.

The Wilsons River in Lismore peaked at 10.4 metres, 20cm higher than the 30 June 2005 event. Certainly another example of how well the levee can work in a low-end major flood. The "metres to overtopped" sign at the pumping station was showing 0.60m at 2pm - which seems inconsistent with the 10.65m at which it is supposed to overtop. You'd think it would have been showing 0.25m.

This first picture is what the Wilsons River has done to Boatharbour Road - which is one of the ways into Lismore from my place (Lismore houses are in the background)

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/thumbs/2009052201.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/photos/2009052201.jpg)


The town was relatively quiet when James Harris, my daughter Katrina and I had a wander around town.

In the Lismore basin area - some caravans not moved in time. Must have been the sudden deluge Thursday night before the rain stopped which caught people out

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/thumbs/2009052202.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/photos/2009052202.jpg)

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/thumbs/2009052203.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/photos/2009052203.jpg)

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/thumbs/2009052204.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/photos/2009052204.jpg)

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/thumbs/2009052205.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/photos/2009052205.jpg)

North Lismore was certainly flooded

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/thumbs/2009052206.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/photos/2009052206.jpg)

South Lismore from the railway viaduct - this is only a few streets away from Pato's house

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/thumbs/2009052207.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/photos/2009052207.jpg)

More cars caught in the basin area

(http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/thumbs/2009052208.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/forum_images/photos/2009052208.jpg)


We also had a look at the road wash-out that Jason posted and alerted me to - that was amazing !

Michael
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Jason(pato) on 24 May 2009, 08:23:22 AM
Just got back from Ballina, pretty insane conditions down there. Could barely stand still at the lookout over Lighthouse Beach. Some pretty bad erosion has occurred with Shelley Beach barely recognisable.

Where I took this photo from there is usually sand up to the beach entry ramp which I'm standing on. Over all the years I've been to Shelley Beach I've never seen these rocks exposed nor have I seen that pipe there either, they are usually covered over by sand.

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5780.jpg)

Severe erosion

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5789.jpg)

View up Lighthouse Beach from North Wall, Ballina. There is plenty of debris and driftwood on the beach and up in the dunes.

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5796.jpg)

Then went out to check out the Ballina Bar. It was like a washing machine with filthy flood water meeting the ocean. And there was an almost continuous roar coming from either the ocean or the wind I couldn't tell. It was an awesome sound thats for sure!

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5797.jpg)

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5810.jpg)

Had lunch by the river and was greeted by more debris from the high tides.

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5816.jpg)

Made our way back home but not before grabbing some pics of the substantial wind damage around the Alstonville plateau.

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5820.jpg)

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5821.jpg)

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_5825.jpg)

Cheers Jason
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: leo76 on 24 May 2009, 04:52:04 PM
Great pics by everyone. I took a few but none as good as what is up here already.

We went out to get some dinner things on Thursday night into Lismore and some idiot in a Sonata thought he could hammer through the water at the Woodlark St roundabout. There was a cop there of course and all we could hear as we were driving off was "Oi! What do you think you are doing?"

Some people had no idea and were just speeding around, only to suddenly brake as they realised the road was under. I think we are lucky there wasnt a major accident.
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Michael Bath on 25 May 2009, 04:54:47 AM
Event rainfall figures for McLeans Ridges (12km east of Lismore). 24 hours to 9am:

18/05: 0.8mm
19/05: 13.4mm
20/05: 12.0mm
21/05: 100.4mm
22/05: 157.0mm
23/05: 40.0mm
24/05: 28.2mm

Total: 351.8mm
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Jimmy Deguara on 25 May 2009, 06:27:58 AM
This is one significant widesoread rainfall event. It has to be some years when regions from SE Qld to the Kempsey region has been affected by major flooding simultaneously! The rainfall has occurred over several days as well with mostly two overnight heavy falls dominating as indicated by the rainfall statistics Michael has kindly displayed in his post.

I look forward to an overall climatalogical summary from Harley.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Michael Bath on 25 May 2009, 09:20:43 AM
Dorrigo has measured the stand-out report of 913mm for the week!  Though none of the other automatic sites have come anywhere near that total (nothing else over the 400s). The monthly returns to the BoM should reveal some more high totals no doubt - as they have recently with the 31/3-1/4 flood.

Weekly rainfall map attached.

All my flood pics for the two days are available:

21 May 2009 flood pictures (http://australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/2009/mb20090521.html)

22 May 2009 flood pictures (http://australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/2009/mb20090522.html)
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Harley Pearman on 25 May 2009, 01:22:50 PM
North East New South Wales rainfalls 18 - 24 May 2009

I have looked at numerous rain gauges and weather stations from this event for the period 9 am 18 May to 9 am 24 May 2009. This is a seven day period covering the whole event.

Bellingen / Dorrigo Region

As stated in a previous post Dorrigo stands out at 913 mm.

The Dorrigo Station (Station Number 59140) on Coramba Road - Latitude 30.34 S and Longitude 152.72 E - Altitude 746 metres recorded this figure.

Nearby Figures for the same period include:-

Bowra Sugarloaf (Station Number 59138) Latitude 30.66 S and Longitude 152.65 E at an elevation of 870 metres recorded 634 mm. This is a Bellinger Valley station.

The Lowanna Station (Station Number 59105) in Grafton Street at an elevation of 550 metres recorded 575 mm. Lowanna is west north west of Coramba.

Upper Darkwood (Station Number 59070) recorded 494 mm. Darkwood sits below Point Lookout.

Glenreigh Station (Station Number 59054) Latitude 30.05 S and 152.98E at an elevation of 67 metres recorded 414.2 mm.

Point Lookout Station at Point Lookout - Elevation of 1,550 metres recorded 361.8 mm. The Point Lookout Station is at the head of the Bellinger Valley near the tourist lookout.

The heaviest falls occurred around the Bellinger Valley and Dorrigo.

Although I am not sure if there is an error but a nearby station called Meldrum - Coolawarrah (Station Number 59045) at an elevation of 1,230 metres shows 22.2 mm. Latitude is 30.36 S and Longitude is 152.49 E. Given that this is close to Dorrigo, this might not be correct.

Other big North Coast Falls for the same period include:-

Green Pigeon - 447.8 mm.
Uki (Station Number 58167) - Elevation 30 metres - 420 mm.
Mt Seaview - 395.7 mm.
Upper Pappinbarra - 371.2 mm.
Ewing Bridge (Corndale) Station Number 58206 - 351 mm.
Casino Airport (Station Number 58063) - 338.2 mm.
Cover Creek (Cedar Park) - 321.6 mm.
Bellbrook - 320 mm.
Barrington Tops (Moppy Lookout Station) - 317.2 mm.
Comboyne Post Office - 313.5 mm.
Nimbin Post Office (Station Number 58044) - 311.4 mm.
Kindee Bridge - 296 mm.
Rocks Crossing - 204.5 mm.

The figures quoted here are from the Bureau of Meteorology "Water and the Land".
 
The plot provided below is generated via the Bureau of Meteorology "Water and the Land". The region covered is the North Coast North from the Bellinger Valley, West to Armidale and Glenn Innes and much of the Northern Tablelands and north to the New South Wales / Queensland State Border. The coloured dots and table provides some insight into how much each locality received. The various rain gauges are marked with a coloured dot corresponding to the table on the left hand side.

The stations marked with a pink dot received the highest totals exceeding 400 mm from the event. There is a small concentration of pink dots marking out the position of Dorrigo and the Bellinger Valley.

The Green dot close to Dorrigo and Point Lookout is the Meldrum Station referred to that might not be correct given the fact that falls of several hundred millimetres was recorded at a number of nearby weather stations.

Harley Pearman
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Michael Bath on 26 May 2009, 07:52:18 AM
This radar archive shows the three meso-lows which hit the northern half of the Northern Rivers on Thursday 21st. First is around 16-19 UTC (4-7am), second 05-08 UTC (3-6pm) and the third and most dramatic: 10-13 UTC (8-11pm)

128km Radar Loop for Brisbane, 14:00 20/05/2009 to 14:00 21/05/2009 UTC
(http://www.theweatherchaser.com/radar-thumb/IDR663/2009-05-20-14/2009-05-21-14/300.s.png) (http://www.theweatherchaser.com/radar-loop/IDR663-brisbane/2009-05-20-14/2009-05-21-14)
Title: RE: NE NSW / SE QLD Rain and Severe Flood Event : 19-24 May 2009
Post by: Richary on 26 May 2009, 11:53:03 AM
My father sent some pictures of the damage to the beaches around Woolgoolga, and the foam blowing over the headland...