Long awaited rain has arrived. We have had 3-4 days of heavy, soaking rain which has fallen on many drought affected areas of NSW. I’ve measured 400mm + in my rain gauge.
Fires that have caused massive destruction over the last 74 days have officially been declared extinguished. This is what so many of us have prayed for. Now we face the threat of flooding due to the amount of rainfall coinciding with the king tide influence on many coastal areas. Lakes that have silted up have had to be opened to relieve raising water levels threatening properties. Low lying flood prone areas have isolated some places due to water over roads. People have been asked to work from home if possible and not to travel. High tide is adding up to a metre to the raising water levels. People have been evacuated.The SES is receiving many calls for help. Sadly many fire affected people are also being affected by the floods.
The dams in the catchment area are filling. The push for a desalination plant to be built in our area seems to be not as necessary/topical as it was last week.
Hopefully the water restrictions will be lifted. We were on level 2 prior to this rainfall. Restricted hours for hand held hose to water garden and wash cars.
Interesting times we are living in.
Joans jottings 