Australia Rain Brings Further Flooding; Losses Mount
Heavy rain spawned by strong thunderstorms has pelted southern Australia, triggering further flooding and crop losses.
The latest outburst took place across southern South Australia into Victoria and southwestern New South Wales. Rainfall of 2 to as much as 6 inches within 24 hours spread over an area including prime croplands as well as the city of Adelaide.
Thunderstorms in South Australia slammed the area in and about Adelaide. Rivers were in flood on Wednesday as thousands of customers were still without power. As many as 70,000 homes lost electricity owing to lightning strikes according to reports.
Storm clouds bearing heavy rain over southern Australia Dec. 7, 2010 (Credit: Australian Bureau of Meteorology)
Another report told of rescues of people left clinging to their flood-stricken cars in the aftermath of flash flooding east of Adelaide.
Western Victoria also weathered torrential, flooding rain and thunderstorm winds which reportedly resulted in hundreds of calls for help.
In New South Wales, renewed downpours only served to compound ongoing flooding of major west-flowing rivers. The swollen Murrumbidgee river continued to menace Wagga Wagga.
In northern New South Wales, it was the flooding Namoi River that kept residents of Wee Waa on edge. Emergency services warned 1700 residents to be ready to evacuate.
News is no better for growers in the region, where most of a bumper wheat crop still awaits harvest in the fields.
Estimates of loss in wheat quality and yield for the rain-delayed have already topped $1 billion. Losses stem from the effects of water and humidity on the ripened wheat, as well as the flattening of the standing crop ("lodging") under the battering of wind, rain and even hail.
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 107° | Death Valley, CA |
| Low | 28° | Daniel, WY |
| Precip | 2.39" | Alexandria, MN |
WeatherWhys®
People need to pay close attention to the UV index during this time of year. On a sunny day late in the spring and into the summer, the UV is usually at least an 8, which is very high. Readings over 11 are considered extreme values in which only 10 minutes of full exposure to the sun will produce a sunburn.
This Day In Weather History
New Hampshire (1814)
A tornado crossed Merrimac, Litchfield, Londonderry and North Chester. The same storm produced hailstones that had an 11-inch circumference and weighed 1/2 pound.
Northeast (1989)
More rain in an already wet month. Monthly totals topped 11 inches at New York City, 9 inches at Bridgeport, Conn., and 8 inches at Baltimore (all three totals set records for May).
Rough Weather
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