(no subject)
Talk about weird weather. The conditions have been really scary around here in the Hunter and surrounding area's but not quite as scary as what it has been in Newcastle.
The papers are calling it "Black Friday"
With winds reaching up to 109 knots it is almost cyclonic type of weather.
The wind was so strong it washed the bulk carrier the Pasha Bulker
which is carrying large amounts of fuel and oil
on to Nobby's beach.
Rescue and salvage teams are on stand-by hoping a disaster can prevented.
The boat is in good order and is only fairly new so hopes are high that disaster can be averted at present.
The strong wind ripped huge
Morton Bay figs out of the ground, flash flooded Newcastle's
main street and lots of other areas around Newcastle and The Hunter. Trapping people in their cars and in their houses.
And cutting off many roads.
My brother Peter was trapped in his house in Hamilton with flash flooding that nearly washed his car away. He was lucky to have been able to rescue it and drive it to higher ground only to have to walk back in waist deep water to his house.
His garage is under water and his motorbike is floating around in it. He is Thankful though his house didn't go under, but it was a truly scary time.
I myself had to go into Newcastle with Allan yesterday to look at a keyboard that his friend from work had for sale.
The wind was so scary
that it was shaking his very large car as if it was a toy.
We decided that while we were there we would have a quick lunch at the Cricketers arms and then head back to pick up my car which was
in having
a service.
We sat down to have a drink and were about to order when the lights went out. We ran to the front windows to look out at the street and there were power lines down and they were sparking on top of a parked car, then someone yelled out there's a tree down we all looked on in horror at a huge Moreton Bay fig which had fallen on top of two cars and a house. The men ran out to see if anyone was hurt but couldn't get very close as the power lines were down all around there.
SO they rang the police and directed the traffic away from the area.
Once we knew that they had the situation under control Allan looked at me and said "Come on I have a bad feeling, let's get out of Newcastle!"
So we jumped in the car and headed for home. We got on the highway but ended up stuck in the traffic. Oh god we thought not another bad accident.
It then started to hail. I must admit I was really scared. It is the worst weather I have seen for a long time.
We crawled along for about an hour then we saw what the trouble was.
The water had come up and flooded the highway. So traffic had to drive in one lane very slowly throught the rising water.
Needless to say I was the most relieved I have ever been to reach
my place.
My garage is flooded and I have a lake rising in the back yard.
But otherwise I am fine. My heart goes out to all the people that have not been so lucky,9 people are missing.
Many have no where to live at the moment and others cars have been damaged.
I just hope and pray that the storms we are due to get this afternoon aren't as bad and that everyone stays safe.
The Pasha Bulker,they are at present trying to salvage.
Just added:
The Hunter river is rising and is expected to reach It's peak at early hours Sunday. It is nearly up to the houses at the end of my road and after going for a drive and looking at Belmore bridge at Lorn I
am concerned the
water will come over the banks.
I am really hoping that the storm they have predicted to hit this afternoon in about an hour does not bring really heavy rain which will exacerbate the issue.
So fingers crossed we don't end up with a major flood here.
There hasn't been one since 1955 and the levee banks have been up-graded since then so it will take a lot of water to go over.
The papers are calling it "Black Friday"
With winds reaching up to 109 knots it is almost cyclonic type of weather.
The wind was so strong it washed the bulk carrier the Pasha Bulker
which is carrying large amounts of fuel and oil
on to Nobby's beach.
Rescue and salvage teams are on stand-by hoping a disaster can prevented.
The boat is in good order and is only fairly new so hopes are high that disaster can be averted at present.
The strong wind ripped huge
Morton Bay figs out of the ground, flash flooded Newcastle's
main street and lots of other areas around Newcastle and The Hunter. Trapping people in their cars and in their houses.
And cutting off many roads.
My brother Peter was trapped in his house in Hamilton with flash flooding that nearly washed his car away. He was lucky to have been able to rescue it and drive it to higher ground only to have to walk back in waist deep water to his house.
His garage is under water and his motorbike is floating around in it. He is Thankful though his house didn't go under, but it was a truly scary time.
I myself had to go into Newcastle with Allan yesterday to look at a keyboard that his friend from work had for sale.
The wind was so scary
that it was shaking his very large car as if it was a toy.
We decided that while we were there we would have a quick lunch at the Cricketers arms and then head back to pick up my car which was
in having
a service.
We sat down to have a drink and were about to order when the lights went out. We ran to the front windows to look out at the street and there were power lines down and they were sparking on top of a parked car, then someone yelled out there's a tree down we all looked on in horror at a huge Moreton Bay fig which had fallen on top of two cars and a house. The men ran out to see if anyone was hurt but couldn't get very close as the power lines were down all around there.
SO they rang the police and directed the traffic away from the area.
Once we knew that they had the situation under control Allan looked at me and said "Come on I have a bad feeling, let's get out of Newcastle!"
So we jumped in the car and headed for home. We got on the highway but ended up stuck in the traffic. Oh god we thought not another bad accident.
It then started to hail. I must admit I was really scared. It is the worst weather I have seen for a long time.
We crawled along for about an hour then we saw what the trouble was.
The water had come up and flooded the highway. So traffic had to drive in one lane very slowly throught the rising water.
Needless to say I was the most relieved I have ever been to reach
my place.
My garage is flooded and I have a lake rising in the back yard.
But otherwise I am fine. My heart goes out to all the people that have not been so lucky,9 people are missing.
Many have no where to live at the moment and others cars have been damaged.
I just hope and pray that the storms we are due to get this afternoon aren't as bad and that everyone stays safe.
The Pasha Bulker,they are at present trying to salvage.
Just added:
The Hunter river is rising and is expected to reach It's peak at early hours Sunday. It is nearly up to the houses at the end of my road and after going for a drive and looking at Belmore bridge at Lorn I
am concerned the
water will come over the banks.
I am really hoping that the storm they have predicted to hit this afternoon in about an hour does not bring really heavy rain which will exacerbate the issue.
So fingers crossed we don't end up with a major flood here.
There hasn't been one since 1955 and the levee banks have been up-graded since then so it will take a lot of water to go over.