SEQ & NE NSW: Rain event & Flood tragedy - Jan 2011

[Lily]

Ken, such a poignant post, it must feel a little surreal up there. How intense are the storms expected to be? Sure hope they don't add to the difficulties already being faced up there in such vast areas of the state.

[apocalypse]

Weather watchers tipped Lockyer danger
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/weat ... 5989900411" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Lily]

Well... this is certainly going to get interesting now. As an aside, Anthony Cornelius looks nothing like what I thought he would look like lol! Always funny putting a face to an online name

[apocalypse]

A must see website, Brisbane floods: before and after
http://www.abc.net.au/news/infographics ... eafter.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ken]

Weather watchers tipped Lockyer danger
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/weat ... 5989900411" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes, this has generated a huge amount of debate since the first posts were made on weatherzone during the event but the story only really got going in the headlines this morning (Tue).

Lily: some of the storms were pretty severe with one of the cells labelled as dangerous storms in the severe thunderstorm warning graphic. Trees came down in some suburbs with 96km/hr gusts recorded at Amberley and some hail was also reported.

[Meso]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/specia ... 5990525696" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Dunno what to say about that. Feel a bit sick looking at it. Hopefully she turns up ok.

[Lily]

Meso, she's been located safe & well thank goodness http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/fl ... 5990612187

Ken, power outtages again too from what I've read? These further storms wouldn't be helping matters up there, I'm sure and sounds like there's more t'storms on the cards up your way again today.

[Ken]

Yes, I was just about to mention that she's been found safe and well. What a perfect ending to what initially looked like a tragic story. And yes, there were quite a lot left without power due to those storms. The instability remains over this region over the next couple of days as a midlevel trough moves through so yes, more showers and storms on the cards.

[Meso]

Ha, how good is that! Looking at the photo it was almost impossible to picture a happy ending, but there you go.

[I_Love_Storms]

Hmm some very big storms in the Lockyer Valley atm being described as 'very dangerous' by the Bureau...

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
for DAMAGING WIND, FLASH FLOODING and LARGE HAILSTONES

For people in the LOCKYER VALLEY, IPSWICH CITY, SCENIC RIM and parts of the LOGAN CITY, SOUTHERN DOWNS, SOMERSET and TOOWOOMBA Council Areas.

Issued at 6:20 pm Wednesday, 19 January 2011.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 6:15 pm, a very dangerous thunderstorm with intense rainfall was detected on weather radar near Laidley and Gatton. This thunderstorm is moving towards the northeast. This very dangerous thunderstorm is forecast to affect Rosewood, Hatton Vale and the area north of Gatton by 6:45 pm and Amberley, Marburg and Hampton by 7:15 pm.

Other severe thunderstorms were located near Boonah, the area between Boonah and Beaudesert and the area southwest of Stanthorpe. They are forecast to affect Beaudesert and Aratula by 6:45 pm and Rathdowney and Canungra by 7:15 pm.

Damaging winds, very heavy rainfall, flash flooding and large hailstones are likely.

Rainfall rates of 60mm/hr and 40mm/30 min have been observed near Tenthill (southwest of Gatton)

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

The next warning is due to be issued by 7:15 pm.

A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Wide Bay and Burnett, Southeast Coast and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at http://www.bom.gov.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or call 1300 659 219. The Bureau and Emergency Management Queensland would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.