Weather News

East coast damaged by another low

Bob Neil, Thursday August 4, 2016 - 12:19 AEST

Record-breaking rain and gale force winds kept emergency services busy along the north coast of New South Wales last night.

A moisture-laden onshore flow enhanced by a low pressure system loitering near the coast drove in blustery showers. The State Emergency Service responded to over 500 calls for assistance, primarily due to minor structural damage from the wild weather.

Wind gusts reached 126km/h at Evans Head and 115km/h at Cape Byron and Yamba overnight, contributing to the damage. Coffs Harbour also registered a gust of 91km/h this morning.

The heaviest rain was centered between Port Macquarie and Yamba, where widespread totals in excess of 100mm were recorded. The heaviest in the region was 239mm at Meldrum (west of Coffs Harbour), a new August record for the site. Yamba, one of the worst affected areas in terms of damage according to the SES, received the heaviest August rain in nine years with 78mm in the gauge.

Showers were not as heavy further south away from the low, although persistent onshore winds made for a couple of miserable days in Sydney. The state's capital saw 86mm in 48 hours, the heaviest August rain in nine years. The city has already exceeded the monthly average only four days into August.

Conditions are easing as the low moves into the Coral Sea today, although a severe weather warning remains in place for damaging surf from Seal Rocks to the Queensland border.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2016

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