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Floods

South Australia Braces for Wild Weather as Rain and Winds Slam the State

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Parts of South Australia are experiencing their first burst of wet weather in months, with the wild conditions causing power outages, fallen trees, dust storms, flash flooding, rough seas, and cancellations of Kangaroo Island ferry services. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued severe weather warnings for damaging winds and rainfall of up to 20 millimeters in the Adelaide area and up to 40 millimeters in the hills. The storm is expected to continue throughout the day, with peak tides and large waves forecasted for the coast.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe weather warnings for much of South Australia, including Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas, the Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide metropolitan area, Flinders, Mid North, Kangaroo Island, Murraylands, Riverland, and south-east.
  • The storm is causing power outages, with over 7,000 customers impacted, and affecting businesses and homes in the metropolitan and Mount Lofty Ranges.
  • The highest wind gust recorded was 107kph at Minlaton, with Cape Borda and Cummins both recording gusts of 100kph.
  • SA Power Networks is urging people to stay at least 10 meters clear of downed powerlines and to report them immediately on 13 13 66.
  • The State Emergency Service (SES) has responded to 230 requests since midnight, mostly for trees which had fallen on roads and property, with some calls for minor flood damage.
  • The highest rainfall was recorded at Parndana with 31mm to 9am, while since then the highest rainfall was recorded at Cudlee Creek with 17mm.
  • The storm is expected to continue throughout the day, with peak tides and large waves forecasted for the coast.
  • Farmers in parched regions are welcoming the rain, with one dairy farmer from Carpenter Rocks in the state's South East receiving 14 millimeters this morning.
  • The BOM is warning of "damaging, locally destructive winds" and "abnormally high tides" for parts of the state.
  • A Code Blue for people sleeping rough has been extended until 9am tomorrow in the Adelaide metro area, Mount Lofty Ranges, and lower South East.

Statistics:

  • Over 7,000 customers have been impacted by power outages, with around 900 customers left without power in the Marion area.
  • The highest wind gust recorded was 107kph at Minlaton, with Cape Borda and Cummins both recording gusts of 100kph.
  • The highest rainfall was recorded at Parndana with 31mm to 9am, while since then the highest rainfall was recorded at Cudlee Creek with 17mm.
  • The BOM is forecasting damaging winds and rainfall of up to 20 millimeters in the Adelaide area and up to 40 millimeters in the hills.

Sources:

  • The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
  • The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
  • SA Power Networks
  • The State Emergency Service (SES)
  • The Government of South Australia

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