Severe Thunderstorm Warning - Townsville

Submitted: Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 06:00
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Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast District.

Issued at 4:53 am Thursday, 31 December 2009.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce very heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Townsville, Giru and Rollingstone.

At 0330 hrs this morning the heavens opened up - enough to completely fill my 22,000 litre tank in just over one hour. I saw my rain gauge had fallen over, stood it up and 30 minutes later had 70mm. Tipped that out. 20 minutes later another 40mm. Took a photo of the overflow from the tank - about half a 90mm pipe - I'll post it later.

Seems to have eased off here but notice bom radar map stretches right up past Cairns. Look like the wet season has finally arrived.

Malcolm



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Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 06:10

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 06:10
Hi Malcolm. Looks like quite a bit of rain happening in central Qld as well. There should be a lot of happy people if it is. Stay safe and have a "wet" New Year. Bob.

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Reply By: Member - Malcolm (Townsville) - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 06:19

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 06:19
Thanks Bob

The tank is FULL - at 0330 hrs it was just up to the first rung. In 90 minutes the tank was overflowing.

Image Could Not Be Found

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Reply By: Rockape - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 07:38

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 07:38
Malcolm,
Doesn't look good for me, will be driving up this morning to go to work.

Just checked the radar and it still looks like it is bucketing down.

Will have to strap the floaties on before I leave.

Have a wet on for me tonight.
AnswerID: 397031

Follow Up By: Member - Malcolm (Townsville) - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 08:37

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 08:37
Why wait till tonight?

Just emptied the rain gauge again. Another 120mm since 0500 hrs. Eased off a bit at present. Gave me a bit of time to go out and clean all the stormwater exits. (I have a few 100mm drainage pipes under the yard which helps to clear all the surface water).

SWMBO said it had been bucketing down for about an hour before I noticed the rain gauge had fallen over. That could mean about 250mm (or 10 inches) in about five hours.

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Reply By: Alloy c/t - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 07:55

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 07:55
Over 5 inches from 1 am this morning in Muttaburra and stil bucketing down ,
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Follow Up By: Member - Malcolm (Townsville) - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 08:39

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 08:39
I bet you are glad for every drop you get out there.

Now it should be a Happy New Year.

Malcolm
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Reply By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 08:06

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 08:06
We're were hanging out for it here at Mission Beach but only got 30mm overnight.
Must have passed us by.

Then again I'm going up to Cairns this morning to pick up a new Puppy. I may end up with a wet dog!!
AnswerID: 397037

Follow Up By: Member - Malcolm (Townsville) - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 08:59

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 08:59
I looked at the weather map and it looked like some heavy rain coming down the coast from Cookton all the way down to here.

Check the bom radar map before leaving just to be safe.

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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 09:05

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 09:05
Good old North Qld Malcolm, they said a few months ago it would be a dry summer "El Nino" must be global wetness LOL
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Follow Up By: Member - Malcolm (Townsville) - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 14:10

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 14:10
Hi Bruce

Makes one wonder about all these predictions doesn't it?

This global warming stuff has me really questioning the accuracy of some 'experts'. One camp says it's a load of BS - they just want to introduce a new tax for the "global economy". The other says all the ice is melting and we are going to be flooded.

Bring it on..... I'm too bloody old to really care.

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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 18:07

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 18:07
I am the same Malcolm, just watching it all on the 10 News....Muttaburra 226 Ms, what's the road situation like up around Townsville? I grew up in Barcaldine and the Alice is also in flood. Would like to take a trip out there, but imagine I would not get to far.
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Follow Up By: Member - Malcolm (Townsville) - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 22:01

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 22:01
Bruce

The roads? I've learned over the years NOT to drive at all when these thunderstorms are around.

The news said that it was the wettest December downpour for over thirty years. Some areas around here recorded over 300mm up to 9am this morning. Most of that would have fallen in a five hour period.

Now I'm off to bed for a good sleep. I'll wake up next year ;-)

Malcolm
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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 22:22

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 22:22
Yep Happy New Year Malcolm and to all your family

Bruce and Annie
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Reply By: Fatso - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 15:22

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 15:22
Isn't this good news. Rain everywhere.
Another good start for the Far North sugar industry.
Last year saw good growing conditions & the crop yielded 2.2 billion dollars worth of sugar.
Nearly all of that is exported.
If we can get away without any cyclones, like we did last year, the earnings will be even higher.
You can't knock rain in this country. It is the giver of life.
This is a far better stimulation for the economy than giving out tax deductions on imported products.
AnswerID: 397092

Follow Up By: Fatso - Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 15:27

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 at 15:27
How are the political parties going to take the credit for the good economic fortune delivered by widespread rain across so many parts of the continent.
Our beloved will no doubt make some attempt.
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Reply By: Member - Malcolm (Townsville) - Friday, Jan 01, 2010 at 17:52

Friday, Jan 01, 2010 at 17:52
Just for the record...... (from the Townsville Bulletin)

[quote]
TOWNSVILLE recorded its wettest December day on record after torrential rain fell across the region yesterday.

The heaviest rainfall fell on the city early yesterday morning, with a record 206.8mm falling at Townsville Airport in the 24 hours until 9am.

The Northern Beaches recorded a highest ever tally, with 305mm falling in Bushland Beach.
[/quote]

and the BOM Radar Map which I captured at 0430 hrs .....

Image Could Not Be Found

Malcolm

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Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Friday, Jan 01, 2010 at 18:05

Friday, Jan 01, 2010 at 18:05
Well here in Muttaburra we copt 228mm in the 24hrs to 9am yesterday and a total off 278 to 5 pm , just under 300mm for the mth of Dec , broke all records for 24hr period and for Dec since records kept [125yrs] , all of the towns rain for Dec has been since xmas eve. Landsboroughcreek crossing now at 4.7 and still rising. All roads closed.
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