Storm Australian Severe Weather Forum
Severe Weather Discussion => Australian Severe Storms, Weather Events and Storm Chasing => Topic started by: Mike on 30 December 2007, 07:19:11 AM
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Seeing how this low is expected to strengthen to about 997hpa and become an extra-tropical low during the weekend and it's hugging the east coast I've pre-empted a thread in case some severe weather comes from it. So those who are in that region might want to stick all their posts here...
Mike
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Have had fairly regular gusty showers in between areas of drizzle since Sunday afternoon.
24.2mm to 9am 31st, 47.0mm to 9am this morning and 24mm so far today.
The models now seem to be agreeing on an increase in the showers to rain by Thursday and Friday over SE QLD and NE NSW as the low moves south and closer to the coast. The creeks are primed by the 150mm or so we've had since the 29th so it wont take much to cause some flooding.
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There is some water sitting on ovals and low lying areas in Lismore, as Michael has said everything is primed so a couple more days of rain like we have had and floodage!
Most of the Storm water culverts in town are at least 3/4 full and flowing quite fast, the Wilson river is also up noticeably.
I did see the SES out in their boat on the river this afternoon; perhaps making an assessment?
Also, is a flood considered a Severe Weather Event? Please go to the following link for further discussion on the definition of severe weather and severe thunderstorms:
http://www.australiasevereweather.com/forum/index.php?topic=685.0
Cheers
Mathew
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Yes - flooding is severe weather.
Up to 130mm for the month already.
47.0mm to 9am 1st
37.6mm to 9am 2nd
42.0mm to 9am 3rd
and 7mm already today (in the past hour) - looks like the rain has set in with radar showing deep convective clouds well out to sea moving towards the SE QLD/NE NSW coast.
Going to be an interesting 48 hours.
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37mm to 9am, thats a nice total from the intermittent showers we've had, though they have been very squally.
Wind has died down slightly from yesterday though.
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NSW BoM have updated their warning. Have had the local SES on radio this morning warning of flooding as well. Edit - BoM have a flood watch for the Wilsons and Richmond rivers too (Lismore area).
NSW SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for Locally Damaging Winds, Damaging Surf, Flash Flooding
For people in
Northern Rivers and Midnorth Coast,
Issued at 11:00 am on Thursday 3 January 2008
Synoptic Situation: 9:00 am EDT Thursday
A complex low over the Coral Sea is expected to move west towards the Queensland coast during the day. Steady rain, heavy at times, over the area is expected to continue during the next twenty four hours. Winds are also increasing, with the exact strengths dependent on the location and strength of the low.
This is an update of the warning issued at 4:10 pm Thursday
Winds may average over 65 km/h with peak wind gusts in excess of 90km/h along the coastal fringe north of Yamba this afternoon and overnight.
Continuing rain over the Northern Rivers region is likely to lead to local flooding.
Damaging surf conditions, with waves exceeding 5 metres in the surf zone, are likely to produce significant beach erosion between Tweed Heads and Smoky Cape later today and overnight.
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Flood warning for the Wilsons River now. Had another 40mm here since 9am though nothing heavy - just constant light to moderate falls.
MINOR TO MODERATE FLOOD WARNING
For the Wilsons River at Lismore
Issued at 4:16pm on Thursday the 3rd of January 2008
Flood Warning Number : 1
Up to 150 millimetres of rain has fallen during the past 48 hours to 3 pm Thursday [3/1/2008]. Further heavy rainfall is expected over night which will result in minor and, possibly, moderate flooding at Lismore during Friday.
River Height Predictions
Lismore - exceed minor flood level [4.2metres AHD] Friday [4/1/2008]
morning - probably around 6am to 9am
- reach moderate flood level [7.2 metres AHD] Friday afternoon
or evening with further predicted heavy rainfall over the
next 24 hours
- further rises are possible if recorded rainfalls are heavier
than predicted
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108mm in the 24 hours to 9am with some places (in the flood warning network) getting over 200mm. It's going to be very interesting if the next rain "blob" east of the Northern Rivers impacts here later today. Will be in for major flooding. Some BoM rain totals to 9am:
NORTHERN RIVERS:
Alstonville 106 Ballina 139 Ballina Ap AWS 153 Byron Bay 149
Cape Byron AWS 95 Casino 37 Casino Ap AWS 44 Evans Head AWS 9
Grafton 21 Grafton AWS 24 Green Pigeon 175 Kyogle 89 Lismore 100
Lismore Ap AWS 62 Mullumbimby 137 Murwillumbah 101 New Italy 42
Nimbin 158 Tweed Heads 105 Woodburn 43 Yamba 28
A few flood photos taken within the past hour in my local area - McLeans Ridges to Eltham and the creeks feeding into the Wilsons River (which I could not get close to due to all the flooded roads).
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010401.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010401.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010402.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010402.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010403.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010403.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010404.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010404.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010405.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010405.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010406.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010406.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010407.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010407.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010408.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010408.jpg)
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Not good for the poor souls who are selling their stately four bedroom home eh?! A lot of water in the area there, what is the peak height of the river mentioned there Michael?
Mike
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The Wilsons River at Eltham (about 2ks west of those last few photos) was 9.17m at 11am - about 8 metres above its normal level. That is classed as moderate flooding I think for there - but close to major. It has not peaked yet.
You can check the river levels here - under the Wilsons River heading:
http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDN60140.html
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Eight metres above the normal level? I would class that as major! What about your specific area Michael, has there been significant stream rises that you have seen? Does this runoff of water affect your area close to home?
Mike
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It is all very close to home - these are my 'local' creeks - within a few to several ks. You can see the river in flood on the webcam (between showers which block the view somewhat)
http://australiasevereweather.com/video/webcam.htm
Click on the left image to see the Wilson River just east of Eltham.
We live at the top of the ridge and have a few small streams at present running down into the valley you see on the webcam.
The levels at which the rivers reach major flood varies quite a bit. In Lismore itself it's 9.7m. Lower downstream on the main floodplain major floods may be around the 5m mark. Depends how deep a gully the river normally flows through.
This is the one to watch - two rivers meet in the Lismore central business district (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=lismore,+nsw&ie=UTF8&z=14&om=1). The Wilsons River comes from the NE on that Google map. Lismore is one of the most flood prone cities in the country.
http://www.bom.gov.au/fwo/IDN60231/IDN60231.058176.plt.shtml
Check here for more info and pics of major flooding that happened in June 2005
http://australiasevereweather.com/storm_news/2005/docs/200506-03.htm
MB
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To all those in northern NSW getting all that lovely rainfall, can you send some to the Central North East and Western region of Victoria (especially the catchments) - we could do with a drenching. We have had no rainfall since Dec 20th floods.
PJ
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MB
I used to live at Coraki years ago (1979-1981), then my parents stayed there then Lismore near the Showground for a while. So I know all about north coast floods. At Coraki it was only a problem if the Richmond and Wilsons peaked at the same time. We were a bit out of town and had to row the boat in for supplies!
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Let's hope that it does not cause too much damage farming wise. The catchment areas will benefit no end one would think. It's been a varied and around-about season has it not for this area?
Mike
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Went out and about in the Lismore area this arvo with the family to take some shots of the flood waters. These photos are taken around 4:30-5:00pm so the flood waters would no doubt be a little higher now.
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A few more photos of the flooding in the Lismore area this afternoon to add to what Jason posted.
The Wilsons River is now about 1km wide east of Eltham. This pic taken a couple of ks north of my place.
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010409.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010409.jpg)
Rodney and I came across many impassable roads - this one near Bexhill
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010410.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010410.jpg)
The river is just about to result in the Lismore Bangalow Road being closed. Note all the bugs on the post - there were spiders all over the road trying to escape.
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010411.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010411.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010412.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010412.jpg)
Scenes in Lismore - the river had just reached the moderate flood level of about 7.3 metres (3.71m to go on the levee topping indicator)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010413.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010413.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010414.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010414.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010415.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010415.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010416.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010416.jpg)
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Note all the bugs on the post - there were spiders all over the road trying to escape.
Well yes, that was one of the interesting things I noted in my earlier message about rowing into Coraki. Every tree/post was covered in spiders. More interesting was the one time a red-bellied black snake that had taken refuge up a tree decided the boat looked a safer bet. They can swim pretty well, and I discovered just how fast I could row. I had no idea if he could have jumped out of the water into the old wooden boat we had, but I wasn't hanging about to find out.
Of course on the small farm we had then which dropped down into a swamp, every flood brought a flood of red bellies and browns up towards our place as well.
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There is MAJOR flooding of the Tweed River at Murwillumbah and the Richmond River at Kyogle this morning. The northern part of the North Rivers copped some extreme rainfalls (up to 200mm in 3 hours to midnight - Tweed Caldera) mainly leading up to midnight. Some lightning and thunder was observed to my north.
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Wow, that's just incredible. Beggars the logic that so much rain can fall from one system not matter where it is! Have been watching the event unfold on the TV this morning with some neat coverage. Evactuations are even in place for some residents of those affected by oncoming floods i hear.
Mike
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And now that it's sunny it's going to get really nasty and humid. It's going to be an unpleasant afternoon.
EDIT
There also photos on the ABC Northcoast Website (http://www.abc.net.au/northcoast/stories/s2131692.htm)
Extra Link: http://www.abc.net.au/northcoast/stories/s2132301.htm (http://www.abc.net.au/northcoast/stories/s2132301.htm)
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Have been downtown in Lismore today a few times, first thing this morning about 0830 the river was well and truly up. I have quite a few pics but they are on the camera which has gone AWOL at the moment so I will upload them later today.
I was down there an hour ago and it has risen at least another meter since this morning getting very close to 9.00 meters AHD with 2 meters till it goes over the levy.
All reports are saying that it will not rise any higher however; I'm a little dubious as there has been very substantial falls overnight in the catchment areas. These falls are still to make their way down the river so I think that the river in Lismore may still rise considerably.
And as jab_au has said it was sunny this morning and deadset it is stickier and more humid than a sumo's armpit, it’s bloody horrible.
just to ad 1.79 meters now till it breaches the Levy as at 1542
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Hi,
Went out on a flood tour with Michael and Rodney this arvo (thanks to Rod for driving, I owe you a ride in my beast). Headed out towards Casino with the intention of seeing how far we could get to Kyogle. Started off looking around some parts of the outskirts of Lismore. Came across one foolish person who thought that they could make it across a flooded Canaiba road just outside Lismore. He and his family must have only just entered, as we arrived just as they were coming from the vehicle, whats even worse about it is that they had a child with them. We could only shake our heads in disbelief that someone could be so stupid. We then ventured towards Casino marvelling at how much water was around, and we were accompanied by quite heavy rain most of the way there. We decided to try our luck on the Summerland Way to Kyogle but we didn't get far, stopped by a rising creek about 5km's out of Casino.We only saw one person came through from the Kyogle end. We then made our way back along the Summerland Way stopping off at a few vantage points to get some more pics. We then made our way back into Casino to have a look at the Richmond River at the bridge. Upon arriving we were greeted by the sound of a quickly moving flooded river, we were in awe to say the least. We snapped away I headed under the bridge then up onto it and got some pics. It was really moving with plenty of eddies forming around the bridge supports. When I was on the bridge something caught my eye, there was some young aboriginal guys actually leaping off the bridge into the swollen torrent below. One guy performing a backflip as if to show that it was really nothing to worry about ( you can see him in one of my pics below). Not for the first time today was I appalled at the stupidity of some people. After a few more pics we headed back to Lismore once again stopping on Canaiba Rd to see if the car was still there but it had vanished, either swept away or towed out by another vehicle. Hope you enjoy the pics,
Cheers Jason
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Here are a few Pics from today,
Have just got back from the River, it has 1.57mts till it goes over the Levy.
Like Jason I have seen quite a few things today that could be deemed interesting or lacking in intelligence.
I saw a guy crossing the Bridge over the Wilson River in a pair of 1.5 mtr stilts, I was waiting for him to trip A over T and go in the drink.
I saw people swimming, skiing, playing, in flood water especially kids. (not good).
A few cars had been left very close to rising flood water... (conveiniantly; they werent there the first time I went past)
People thinking their 1985 Commodore was amphibious, and as it turns out... They aren't.
And finally Water I saw lots and lots and lots of water... Which made me think... How on Earth did all that water and I mean
LOTS of water get up in the sky?
I heard on the local ABC radio this morning that we have had Approx. 650mm in 7 days.
And looking today at the hectares of water lying around the traps also the gargantuan volume of water flowing down both rivers.
The River would be easy 20 Meters deep, and at the moment 75 meters wide in some parts, which equates to an enormous amount of water.
Where did it all evaporate from to become rain and then fall again? Food for thought.
Cheers
Mat.
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Some pics from the flood tour yesterday with Rodney and Jason.
The people who didn't quite make it along Caniaba Road just south of Lismore Airport:
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010501.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010501.jpg)
As Jason mentioned we didn't get far north of Casino on the Summerland Way - stopped by Lagoon Creek at Fairy Hill.
Extensive flooding of the Richmond River just north of Casino:
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010502.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010502.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010503.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010503.jpg)
The Richmond River in Casino at the Irving Bridge - it's the first time I've seen anything other than a small watercourse passing through a rocky river basin here. There were plenty of large trees floating down the river yet these kids kept jumping in!
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010504.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010504.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010505.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010505.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010506.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010506.jpg)
Jason had to return home to South Lismore at this stage for flood preparations. Rodney and I continued looking around, first on the Lismore Kyogle Road which was blocked by flooding at Leycester. We then took the Rock Valley Road. Fortunately the river was dropping here so we were able to pass.
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010507.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010507.jpg)
We made it all the way to the outskirts of Kyogle via Cawongla and the Murwillumbah Kyogle Road
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010508.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010508.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010509.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010509.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010510.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010510.jpg)
The Richmond River flood peak of 18.1m at Kyogle around 11am had dropped by about 30cm by the time we got there around 5pm. This is the first major flood in Kyogle since the 18.9m record peak of Feb 1954.
The Wilsons River peaked in Lismore about 9.4m -just under the major flood level. It's been a long time since the western part of the Northern Rivers - ie the Richmond River catchment - received such a major flood.
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Gyday all some more pics from the flood tour with Michael and Jason(Pato) yesterday.
(http://www.australiasevereweather.com/rodney/20080105rwa.jpg)
2kms north of Kyogle
(http://www.australiasevereweather.com/rodney/20080105rwb.jpg)
Lismore levee in action at peak 9.4
(http://www.australiasevereweather.com/rodney/20080105rwc.jpg)
(http://www.australiasevereweather.com/rodney/20080105rwd.jpg)
Casino bridge
(http://www.australiasevereweather.com/rodney/20080105rwe.jpg)
South of Kyogle
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That amount of water is just over the top! The damage bill is going to be quite expansive after this event - when it does eventually subside. As for the dills jumping off the bridge - mmm, i see that here also. There's no intelligence in that anywhere. More to the fact of impressing the mates or one's ego. You can bet that if one of them got into strife their attitude would change until they're rescued - then it would be back to the same antics. I would suspect the river is flowing extremely fast considering it's dragging logs and branches downstream and you just have to witness stupidity in motion.
The low seems to be staying put for a fair while on the maps and hugging the coastal regions? There must be an impressive onshore moisture flow for this thing to be hanging around for so long. Does anyone know what level the major dams in the area will benefit from all this wet stuff.
Mike
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And now I see they are getting some thunderstorms to help top it all off! A few more mm won't hurt!
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Back from storm and flood obs west of Lismore. Chase opportunities are very limited today given the number of roads blocked by floodwaters. That was certainly the case west of McKees Hill on the Bruxner Highway halfway between Lismore and Casino. Council has set up a road block but they were not stopping people from wanting to venture a bit further for photos.
I was amazed at how much flooding there is in the area caused by the Richmond River - many homes isolated, cars submerged and fast flowing water in places.
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010601.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010601.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010602.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010602.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010603.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010603.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010604.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010604.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010605.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010605.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010606.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010606.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010607.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010607.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010608.jpg) (http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/photos/2008010608.jpg)
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I saw some footage from Coraki on the TV News tonight. Lapping at the front of the shops in the main street, and that was before the peak. The couple of floods I lived through there that was as high as it ever got. Heard stories the locals would sit in the pub and take bets about when it would trickle over the top of the road (the high point) and start flowing down to the lower areas to the west (where our house was, but up on a safe hill).
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Went out 25km's north west of Kyogle today to help put up some fences at a frinds place today after they had been obliterated by the torrents that have gone through.
Incidently Kyogle registered it's 2nd largest flood on record (That's what they said on the radio).
The first photo is of Sawpit Creek at Findon which is about 15 - 20kms north of Kyogle on the Summerland Way (upstream from Kyogle) Normally a trickling stream. It appears that it turned into somewhat of a less sedate stream and somewhat of a torrent...
[attachimg=#]
The Second Pic is Findon Creek, which feed or joins with Sawpit Creek and again usually a little less agressive that what is seen here.
[attachimg=#]
The Third is another small bridge that was cleared of the debris earlier in the morning, poor old wooden bridge had held up quite well we thought!
[attachimg=#]
Here is the debris!
[attachimg=#]
The BoM have released a Severe Thunderstorm warning for this area again.
There was some rapid convection out there (Findon Creek) at about 1300 at about 30 Deg C.
At about 1430 there was some thunder and it came over quite dark.
Heading back to Lismore at about 1600 there was a really well defined shelf cloud and saw a couple of cracking CG's. Looking back West to Kyogle it was Raining again.
Tonight 2100 I have see a few flashes in Lismore itself and a bit of thunder but no rain.
Cheers All.
Mat.
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Interesting shots of the river damage there Mat - post a few more if you have any.
Mike - the Hinze Dam which supplies the Gold Coast is now full. The Rocky Creek Dam which supplies the Lismore, Ballina area etc is also well over the spillway.
MB
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Thanks MB. The water restrictions will still be in place even after this event is well and truly dusted?
From the looks of the river shots you can see where the high level was previously with all the grass etc flattened. The amount of debris is huge piled on the side of the road and you wonder why people drown in swollen rivers with all these unseen dangers within! The wooden bridges are usually a lot stronger than ones bitumised - I've found that up here, the bitumen just lifts off in slabs exposing everything, but seasoned wood is pretty resilient to such water inundations!
Did noticed the severe weather warning, the last thing the residents want is more rain, but whilst the conditions are favourable there's not much one can do but wait and wait until it clears itself. Then it's another wait until all the water drains off and dries out! I suspect it's something that the locals in the area have seen before and will again.
Mike
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Heres a pic of the armada of helicopters that have descended(pun intended)upon Lismore to help out with the flood relief, if you look closely you should be able to count 11.
(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/th_IMG_0668copy.jpg) (http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_0668copy.jpg)
Certainly is an impressive sight and not one you get to see to often in this area.
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I've seen reports that ex-TC Helen if it does not swing back in to the Gulf of Carpentaria (which is highly unlikely given the monsoon weakening) that she will track as an ECL towards NSW. She's bringing with her a lot of rain as one would expect and if this eventuates then there's more flooding on the cards if she sits there and drags in onshore winds producing more precip.
Mike
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YAY more rain! Just what we need.
If we do get more, it will take very little to send the rivers back up.
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Hi Everyone,
I had heard that after the rain we had recently that our local water supply, Rocky Creek Dam was full and running over the spillway. So I couldn't resist the temptation and I packed up the family and trusty camera and went for a look. The first photo shows the dam at full or near to full capacity (when it was at its lowest, around 25%, it was several metres below this level).
(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/th_IMG_0677copy.jpg) (http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_0677copy.jpg)
Next photo shows the spillway from above although it may be hard to make out , the water was flowing quite quickly.
(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/th_IMG_0682copy.jpg) (http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_0682copy.jpg)
After this we made our way down the slope to try and get pics of the water coming down the spillway, as luck would have it there was a path leading down right to the spillways edge. The next two photos show how quickly and how much volume of water was coming down. Note the whitewater in the water in the first shot, thats from grass stems that had grown there from lack of water running over this area before this event.
(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/th_IMG_0697copy.jpg) (http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_0697copy.jpg)
(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/th_IMG_0691copy.jpg) (http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_0691copy.jpg)
The last shot shows the volume of water running away downstream, seems an awful waste but the water has to go somewhere. You could hear the roar of it from about 500m away.
(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/th_IMG_0685copy.jpg) (http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/jaypat75/IMG_0685copy.jpg)
Was a pretty amazing sight as I haven't seen water run over the spillway for a number of years, and when I did see it last it was only a mere trickle. Hope you enjoy the pics,
Cheers Jason
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For all the negatives of the flooding of homes etc there's always a positive side of things like this, farming, catchments, dams - it's something this country is used to with the change in extremes from drought to flood. I'd rather see creeks and rivers with white water flowing through them than dead animals sun dried lying on the parched earth any day. This is all good for many areas regardless, many farming communities will be loving it and why not, they work their guts out keeping the country fed!
Mike
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Mike,
This is one thing I agree with strongly. Those farming communities in northern NSW and south-eastern QLD should be lapping this water up gracefully. It is a miracle for them. The only downside is that according to news reports here (VIC), some of the farmers there have lost crops and large numbers of stock/cattle, and it may take them some time to recover.
Big Pete
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It's a double edged sword. Nobody can control it and it's a fact of life in all parts of the world. The regeneration aspect will go berserk once everything dries out sufficiently and this type of weather disaster has a way of being a positive thing in the end. Let's hope so!
Mike
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Hello
I am sure many were watching but this flood event was occurring at the same time as 2 other regions of Australia were experiencing flood events being areas south west and south of Darwin (From Tropical Cyclone Helen) and around Cape York Peninsula (Monsoon rains). Rainfalls from the latest north east NSW / SE Queensland event were comparable to those occurring in the other two regions mentioned above.
Excellent photos and reports from everyone.
The drawback from this flood event is the damage bill. I am aware that the insurance bill from this has already hit $200 million (Which will probably rise as more claims are made) making it another expensive storm / flood event for the summer 2007 / 2008.
Harley Pearman
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I have put up some galleries of flood pics taken over the several days of the floods in the Northern Rivers, particularly along the Wilsons and Richmond rivers.
McLeans Ridges, Eltham, Boatharbour, Lismore Friday 4th Jan (http://australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/2008/mb20080104.html)
South Lismore, Fairy Hill, Casino, Leycester, Rock Valley, Kyogle, Lismore Saturday 5th Jan (http://australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/2008/mb20080105.html)
McKees Hill to Clovass on the Bruxner Hwy Sunday 6th Jan (http://australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/2008/mb20080106.html). Some storms in that lot too.
On Monday the NSW State Emergency Service head office in Wollongong phoned me up asking if they could use some of the pics I had posted on the forum. Sure no problem ! I casually mentioned it would have been good to see the flooding around Coraki but there was no way to get there because all roads were cut by the major flooding in the Richmond River. I was amazed to hear a response of "we'll have to get you up in a chopper to have a look then" ! I wasn't sure if this was for real but a return call 2 hours later and it was all organised. WOW ! They wanted me to get photos of the flooding and SES volunteers in action. So Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning I had helicopter flights to the Coraki area. Wednesday another flight to Coraki then two flood boat missions with the SES guys. It has been quite an experience to see what goes on operationally and to see the flooding from the air.
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010701.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010702.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010703.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010704.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010705.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010706.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010707.jpg)
(http://australiasevereweather.com/temp/forum/thumbs/2008010708.jpg)
Aerial shots between Lismore and Coraki including cattle rescues along the Wilsons River near Coraki Monday 7th Jan (http://australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/2008/mb20080107.html)
Aerial shots between Lismore and Coraki, and at Coraki (opportunities were a bit limited this day) Tuesday 8th Jan (http://australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/2008/mb20080108.html)
Again down to Coraki then two flood boat operations with SES guys and girls Wednesday 9th Jan (http://australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/2008/mb20080109.html)
regards, Michael
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Mike B
What an amazing opportunity! and to have it fall in your lap like that! Wow!
Big Pete.
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Michael,
I knew the vantage point you would have would reveal a pretty different scale one sees on the ground! Awesome! It makes it look more real as well!!
As Pete says, a great opportunity!
Regards,
Jimmy Deguara