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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - SEPTEMBER 2001
Mainland states experienced severe storm activity at various times during the month. A tornado caused damage to about 30 houses in the Perth suburb of Armadale while suspected tornadoes may have occurred in near Paruna and near Mandulla in South Australia. The worst bushfires in 25 years in the southern half of the Northern
Territory resulted in tens of thousands of square kilometres of pasture
being burnt with significant livestock losses.
Queensland On the 1st thunderstorms developed across the Southeast Coast, Wide Bay, Burnett and Capricornia districts ahead of a frontal change. A supercell tracked across the southern border ranges during the early evening, then a short squall line moved across parts of the Southeast Coast district which produced a 104 km/h wind gust at Oakey. Sheds were unroofed and trees twisted off near Biggenden. Trees were brought down at Rathdowney. A 12 metre luxury yacht sank in Runaway Bay (Gold Coast) after being smashed against a jetty. Golf ball size hail was reported 13 kilometres north of Warwick and 1cm hail was reported from Deuchar, 20 kilometres north of Warwick with a ground covering of about 3cm. On the 5th widespread mostly high based convection developed from late morning onward in an unstable air mass over southeast Queensland. A few heavier storms occurred in an area of enhanced low level moisture around Wide Bay and Burnett. Hail 2-3 cm in diameter was reported from Coolloola Cove, northwest of Rainbow Beach. Hail mostly small was reported from Maryborough, Rainbow Beach, Beaudesert and the Gold Coast (Miami). New South Wales On the 1st at Wyong (Hunter) 3cm hail was reported and at Corndale and Byron Bay (Northern Rivers) 2cm hail and 89 km/h wind gusts were recorded. On the 12th at St Georges Basin (Illawarra) 31mm of rain fell in 30 minutes which produced flash flooding. On the 14th at Ulladulla (South Coast) 31mm of rain fell in 43 minutes. Flash flooding was reported. Victoria On the 7th severe winds were reported in the Western, Wimmera, Mallee and Central districts. Damage occurred at Culgoa, Casterton, Sunbury and Horsham. Local heavy rain was also reported in the Western district. Mildura was reportedly hit by lightning. On the 30th severe squalls and intense lightning occurred in the Central district. At Leopold a gust of 122 km/h was recorded and 90 km/h was recorded by Fawkner Beacon and Dunns Hill AWS's. South Australia During the afternoon of the 7th severe thunderstorms associated with a strong front brought wind squalls in excess of 90 km/h and 1- 2 cm hail to central and eastern districts of South Australia. There was widespread wind damage and some crop damage. A suspected tornado may have occurred with the thunderstorms near Paruna (Murraylands) and near Mandulla (Upper South East). Two people were injured. Early estimates put the damage bill in excess of $700,000. Damage was mainly due to trees falling on houses, sheds, cars and power lines. Several house roofs were lifted and a number of farm sheds badly damaged by the wind. Marquees erected at Barmera (Riverland) were torn apart or blown away. One man was injured when hit by a marquee pole at Barmera. Another man in Whyalla (Eastern Eyre Peninsula) broke his ankle while trying to prevent his shed from lifting off the ground. Also on the 7th a wind gust to 96 km/h was recorded at Minnipa (West Coast). The gust occurred with a convective shower which formed in the cold air mass following the strong front. In the early morning of the 8th a tornado caused a narrow swathe of tree damage through a caravan park at Wudinna (West Coast). On the 30th a severe thunderstorm with a wind squall to 102 km/h occurred at Moomba (Northeast Pastoral). Western Australia On the 29th a tornado caused a narrow path of damage for about 2 kilometres in the Perth suburb of Armadale causing tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage. About 30 houses were damaged, mostly from fallen trees. Some roof damage was also reported from Dianella. On the 5th two thunderstorms caused hail damage to crops from Wongan Hills to Cunderdin. Hail 2.8cm in diameter was reported from near Dowerin. In Perth, lightning strikes in the Hilton/Coolbelup area caused significant damage to communication infrastructure estimated to be up to 1 million dollars. On the 28th severe thunderstorms occurred in the eastern Goldfields and Eucla. No damage was reported.
Queensland Gusty northerly winds developed in the Channel Country on the 29th and 30th ahead of an approaching trough and raised areas of dust. Birdsville recorded 93 km/h mean winds with gusts to 126 km/h from the north during the 30th. South Australia During the afternoon of the 7th sustained gale force westerly winds well to the north of an intense low pressure system affected parts of the Pastoral districts, causing areas of blowing dust. During the afternoon of the 30th gale force northwest winds affected local areas near Port Lincoln on Lower Eyre Peninsula. Sustained winds of 65 km/h and wind gusts to 93 km/h were recorded at Port Lincoln Airport. Western Australia On the 29th an intense low off the southwest coast caused widespread
gales across the southwest, the strongest wind gusts were up to 90 km/h
occurring about the far southwest coast. Albany was buffeted by gale force
winds and rain which cut power to about 1,000 homes and recorded 26mm
of rain. A roof came off an Albany house and landed 40 metres away.
Northern Territory The worst fires in 25 years have occurred in the southern half of the Northern Territory during the past two months. Abundant grassy fuel combined with dry and gusty winds have produced periods of dangerous fire weather conditions in many parts of the NorthernTerritory. Many pastoral properties in the Tennant Creek and Alice Springs districts are 50-80% burnt, representing an area of tens of thousands of square kilometres. Hundreds of head of cattle have been killed, fences and outbuildings destroyed and homesteads have been threatened by the fires. Some of the badly affected properties were Mt Doreen, Narwietooma, Napperby, Amburla and Bond Springs stations north and northwest of Alice Springs and Ammaroo station east of Barrow Creek. Fires on Elkedra and Annitowa stations in the southern Barkly region travelled up to 70 kilometres in 24 hours, jumping the Sandover Highway and threatening homesteads. A 70 kilometre fire front was observed on Napperby station on the 30th. Over 750 fires have been reported in the Alice Springs area during the past two months most deliberately lit. On the 5th of September westerly winds gusting up to 60 km/h caused problems with bushfires in the Hermannsburg area and on Aileron and Bushy Park stations north of Alice Springs. A large fire in the hills west of Alice Spings burnt an area of 150 square
kilometres during the last week of September and required a 15 kilometre
back-burn along the Stuart Highway. Shade structures in Simpsons Gap national
Park were destroyed by the fire and residents in the western suburbs of
Alice Springs were advised to prepare hoses to protect their homes as
the fire approached on the 30th.
Tasmania Moderate flooding was experienced in the upper reaches of the South Esk
River with peaks of 5.52 metres at Fingal on the 2nd and 5.30 metres at
Llewellyn on the 3rd.
South Australia
Wilpena Pound in the Upper North District recorded its highest daily rainfall on record with 125mm on the 1st of September.
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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