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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - AUGUST 2000 Several large bushfires occurred in the Northern Territory during August. Strong winds also resulted in many fires around Brisbane and the Gold Coast in Queensland. An intense depression off the southwest coast of Western Australia resulted in winds that caused significant damage near Albany. Severe thunderstorms at Emerald in Queensland and Sunbury in Victoria resulted in significant damage. New South Wales Because of the focus on provision of meteorological services for the Olympics and Paralympics, no summaries were received from New South Wales for this months report. NOTE: The data for New South Wales was added at the time of the October summary.
Queensland A severe thunderstorm at Emerald on the 6th did significant damage to trees, some minor house damage and some power lines were blown down. Emerald AWS stopped working, a circus tent was shredded and the internal poles were broken. Rainfall of between 40 and 50 mm was reported over 1.5 to 2 hours. New South Wales On the 28th, Laurieton and Camden Haven (Mid North Coast), reported hail, 4cm in diameter at Camden Haven and 2cm in diameter at Laurieton. There was some property damage with four requests for assistance from the SES. Williamtown (Hunter District) reported a wind gust of 96 km/h. Australian Capital Territory On the 23rd, hail was recorded in several suburbs of Canberra. Victoria On the 8th, tornadoes occurred in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. At Sunbury a sports stadium and several houses were damaged. At Airport West houses were also damaged. The SES attended over 70 jobs in the Metropolitan area where damage was caused mainly by wind and rain. On the 20th, 3 water spouts were observed near Cape Woolamai. South Australia On the 8th, thunderstorms in Adelaide and the southern suburbs caused minor roof damage and a boat was turned over by a waterspout at Robe. On the 10th, a funnel cloud was observed heading from near Port Pirie towards Napperby. Western Australia On the 2nd, four tornadoes were sighted in the Gnowangerup area (north of Albany), no damage reports have been received.
Australian Capital Territory On the 16th, snow was reported at Canberra Airport. South Australia On the 12th/13th, snow was reported from a thunderstorm at Worumba Station east of Hawker.
Tasmania Strong winds occurred across the State on the l0th and 11th, most damage was minor and was confined to the north of the State. Several areas in the north recorded power failures. Further strong winds on the 25th cause power blackouts around the State. The Spirit of Tasmania sustained minor engine damage due to rough seas. Gusts exceeding 90 km/h were reported at Cape Bruny on the 10th; at Cape Grim on the 9th, 10th, 11th, 22nd & 23rd; at Derwent Estuary TERS site on the 9th, 10th & 24th; at Eddystone Point on the 10th; at Flinders Island Airport on the 9th; at Hartz Mountains on the 10th & 11th; Hobart on the 10th and on Mt. Wellington on the 3rd, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th. South Australia On the 14th, wind caused minor damage to roofs in Hallett Cove and Pt Willunga. Western Australia On the 2nd, about seventy buildings were damaged (several severely) at Albany as a small but intense low pressure system formed off the southwest coast. The associated winds were estimated to have reached 130 to 150 km/h. A number of trees were blown over and power supplies were interrupted. The winds were the strongest to have affected the Albany area since 4 April 1978 when tropical cyclone Alby produced wind gusts to 150 km/h. Some damage was also reported from the Denmark - Walpole area (west of Albany), and Cape Leeuwin recorded wind gusts to 117 km/h.
Queensland The Courier Mail of the 31st reported. "Fires this week have destroyed two houses, one at Caboolture and one at Deception bay and are still threatening homes and properties in and around Brisbane". On the 31st, dozens of houses in Brisbane and the Gold Coast were threatened. Fires continued to burn just north of Brisbane at Morayfield and Ningi. Northern Territory On the 14th and 15th, a large fire threatened properties at Lake Bennett, about 80 kilometres south of Darwin. On the 15th, a fire burnt around 100 square kilometres of Marrakai and Woolner stations, 80 kilometres east of Darwin. On the 15th and 16th, another large fire at Dundee Beach, 60 kilometres southwest of Darwin, burnt through many properties and destroyed sheds, generators and machinery. Despite the loss of pasture and some valuable assets, no houses were lost in these fires. During the last three weeks of August, wildfires burnt large areas of pasture and scrub on Suplejack Station in the Victoria River region, and on Lake Nash Station and Georgina Station in the Barkly region. During the last week of August, a large fire burnt about 100 square kilometres on Douglas Station, 120 kilometres southeast of Darwin, causing loss of pasture. During the same period, another large fire threatened a conservation enclosure in the Tanami Desert north of Willowra, which is one of the last refuges of Marla wallabies.
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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