HEAVY HAIL HITS THE NORTHERN RIVERS

By Sarah Waters

Storm season has arrived early this year with parts of the Northern Rivers region experiencing a downpour of large hail last week.

State Emergency Service public information officer Scott McLennan said the SES responded to 15 callouts from Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads on Wednesday, August 30, following a storm.

People needed help with overflowing gutters, skylights broken by hail and roofs damaged by trees.

No major damage was reported.

“Normally storm season is October through to March, but it’s started to kick off already,” Mr McLennan said.

“With storms there comes wind, hailwhich we saw last night (August 30) in Murwillumbah, Tweed and Grafton - and some of those wind gusts can get up to 90kph.

“There was also quite a lot of lightening around - one of the challenges RFS has with lightning is it can start a lot of grass fires.

“For us, the issue is branches, trees, filled gutters, drains, downpipes and storm water drains.”

Mr McLennan said the increase in storm activity this season will result in flash flooding, strong wind events and more damaging hail.

He understood the anxiety heavy rain in the Northern Rivers can bring to residents, but said there is a lot people can do to prepare.

“What we can do is make sure our gutters are clean, our downpipes are clean and our drains are clean.

“If you’ve got storm water drains, or any causeway and culverts, make sure they’re clear, because if they’re blocked, you’ll get pooling of water.

“Put any loose items away around your yard, turn the trampoline upside down, trim trees and branches that can fall on your home.

“Have a plan for your pets too.

“Be ready, know what your risk is, get your home ready and be in control.”

Murwillumbah resident

Steven Gibbs property in Bray Park was lashed by hail stones.

Mr Gibbs said the hail was initially the size of a small fingernail.

“Most were about the size of 10 cents - largest was about a 50-cent size,” he said.

“We had about four hailstorms starting at 1.50pm (last Wednesday) the last was about 6.40pm.

“The longest hailstorm was at about 2.40pm and lasted about 30 minutes - continuous hail for 30minutes - I haven’t had anything like this.”

Residents are advised to download the Hazards Near Me app: www. nsw.gov.au/emergency/ hazards-near-me-app

Last year the NSW SES responded to 14,000 storm-related jobs across the state.