Thousands were isolated and evacuations came as rain and wind battered coastal regions but also brought some high winds and substantial falls to the northern region, particularly on the tablelands and even further to the north west slopes.
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The devastating path of ex-tropical Cyclone Oswald continued down the coast and also extended its rain reach inland.
The wettest part of the region over the weekend was Glen Innes – it recorded 80mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am yesterday.
Moree recorded 72mm, Inverell 60mm, Guyra 53mm, Narrabri 50mm, Armidale 47mm and Gunnedah 18mm, over the same 24 hour period – but in some places there was even more to 3pm yesterday as the steady rain continued across many centres.
The Pacific Highway was closed due to flooding at Grafton for the better part of the day yesterday and the Traffic Management Centre warned all motorists travelling in and around the NSW Mid North and Far North Coast to exercise extreme care and caution.
“There have been reports of heavy rainfall, debris and reduced visibility at some locations,” a spokesman said.
State Emergency Service crews from Tamworth and around the region attended 10 jobs over the three-day weekend.
Namoi region SES acting region controller Andrew Galvin said all of those jobs had been a result of trees down, primarily in the Glen Innes and Armidale areas.
“There were four job in Tamworth but those we calls to help people still dealing with the problems caused by the storms we have experienced in the previous six weeks,” he said.
“Leaking roofs that haven’t been repaired and where the rain was getting in.”
Mr Galvin said there were no current weather warnings for our region but suggested when the weather cleared people needed to get back out and clean the gutters.
“It’s that reminder again. If we are going to get more rain make sure loose items are tied down and the gutters are cleaned out so that if we get more than what is predicted we are prepared.”
He also urged people out and about in the region to listen to the radio.
“Warnings are always broadcast there and I would encourage anyone out and about camping and on the region’s waterways to keep an
eye on river heights just in case.”
Weatherzone predicts winds of between 20 and 35km/hour will continue to accompany the expected showers and likely thunderstorms.
While the rain proved a little problematic for those involved in the post-country music festival clean up yesterday – and it wasn’t exactly ideal weather for packing up a tent – most city roads blocked off during the 10-day festival
re-opened as normal.
A large number of campers continued to roll out, however some stayed hoping they could make a drier getaway this morning.
The Riverside temporary camping ground does not close officially until later this morning.
Yesterday warnings were still in place for parts of the coast including Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, leaving some visitors to stay an extra few nights in Tamworth, but also stranding holiday makers wanting to come home.
