Last night’s severe storms seem to have stayed west of the New England, but beat a devastating path from Walgett to Mudgee, hitting Carinda the hardest.
Farmers raced to get as much of this year’s bumper harvest as they could as the rain began bucketing down around Moree, where 42.8ml was recorded in the gauge to 9am this morning. A number of other areas on the western side of the slopes and plains got 10-15ml, while Tamworth recorded 8ml.
To our west, Carinda, 70km south west of Walgett, experienced conditions similar to the tornado that hit Armidale a few years ago, with a supercell of intense wind and rain causing widespread damage.
The pub, pizza shop and general store sustained damage, and multiple houses were left without power as winds downed power poles.
Locals quickly took to Facebook to check on neighbours and assure loved ones they were safe.
“The noise as it hit was unbelievable. Main Street seems to have suffered the worse, I believe the roof has gone off far west store. Blew our garden shed apart, anything the wind could pick up was dumped at back fence. Main thing I haven’t heard of anyone getting hurt,” poster Joyce Lord
The SES said the intensity of the storm caught them by surprise, but they’re on the job working with local residents to begin the clean up.
Walgett Shire Mayor Jasen Ramien said the lightning and winds had brought fires to the region before the downpour.
“From all reports, Carinda is in a fair mess,” he told ABC Breakfast on Monday.
“There’s been damage to multiple buildings right across the town … homes damaged, shops.”
Mr Ramien said he had declared a disaster in the area, opening residents up to state government support.
SES volunteers across NSW responded to 278 calls for emergency support on Sunday night and Monday morning.
Top image: Carinda’s main street this morning (Lance McNaughton, Facebook).
Don’t miss any of the important stories from around the region. Subscribe to our email list.