Sydney Austrailia flooding

[Mike]

Sydney storm: man dies after being swept into stormwater drain

_http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/24/sydney-storm-man-dies-after-being-swept-into-stormwater-drain

Two men struck by lightning as a month's worth of rain falls in an afternoon, causing chaos across the city

A man is dead, a truck driver has severe injuries and two people have been struck by lightning as wild weather battered Sydney.

A month's worth of rain fell on parts of the city on Monday afternoon when an area of low pressure passed slowly over the city towards the Illawarra.

Sydney's south bore the brunt and at Lucas Heights a man died after being washed into a stormwater drain.

Paramedics were called to the Lucas Heights waste management and recycling centre on New Illawarra Road at 3.15pm, but were unable to save the man. He died at the scene and is believed to have drowned.

"Unfortunately there was nothing we could do," a NSW ambulance spokesman said.

The waste management plant is operated by Sita Australia.

At Tregear, in Sydney's south-west, a truck driver was trapped in his cabin after crashing into a power pole.

The man, in his mid-40s, had to be cut from his vehicle and suffered severe leg injuries in the accident, which happened just after 2.30pm. He was taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition.

Meanwhile, two men were hit by lightning about half an hour apart in the city's south.

A man in his 50s was struck at Cronulla about 2.45pm. He was taken to hospital suffering blurred vision.

A 19-year-old man was hit by lightning at Mascot about 2.10pm. He lost consciousness for a short period and was hospitalised.

The State Emergency Service (SES) received more than 160 calls for help, with flash flooding affecting homes, and a number of trees falling in parts of Sydney.

"There have been two flood rescues of people in vehicles, at Bexley and at Milperra," the SES said. "There have also been reports of flash flooding around Alexandria, Zetland and Botany and along Parramatta Road."

The Bureau of Meteorology said 98mm of rain fell in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney. The median monthly rainfall for Sydney is 97mm. The forecast for Tuesday is easing showers.

Sita Australia confirmed the man who died at Lucas Heights was one of its employees.

"An investigation has begun into the circumstances surrounding the incident and Sita Australia is co-operating fully with the relevant authorities," the company said.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with the employee's family and Sita Australia is providing counselling and support to employees at our operations."

 

[Oxajil]

Thanks for posting Bear, it's on SOTT now: http://www.sott.net/article/276170-Sydney-storm-man-dies-after-being-swept-into-stormwater-drain

 

[Mike]

No problem - it was pointed out on today's 'Suspicion Observers' short daily video that it was new to the RSOE EDIS - Emergency and Disaster Information Service map http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php and I didn't see it on SOTT. It is interesting that The SOTT WorldView thingy is similar (better!) and takes so much more into account.

 

[Oxajil]

No problem - it was pointed out on today's 'Suspicion Observers' short daily video that it was new to the RSOE EDIS - Emergency and Disaster Information Service map http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php and I didn't see it on SOTT. It is interesting that The SOTT WorldView thingy is similar (better!) and takes so much more into account.

Cool map! It's on Sott Worldview now too :)

 

[Mike]

More flooding in Australia - this time further north in Brisbane. This is the best story I could find on it:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/28/queensland-rain-prompts-warnings-to-ipswich-residents

Queensland rain prompts warnings to Ipswich residents

State’s south and southeast have had extraordinary rain over the past 24 hours, sparking rescue of five people from flood waters

 

[Lindenlea]

A lot of the areas specified were flooded badly in 2011 as well, with a loss of life and a small village almost washed away. when the tailend of cyclones and the likes wash down from the north the lowlands and valleys have to deal with the flooding that follows, except they are getting worse and more of them.

My place is approx a 2.5 hour drive south of these areas and we have had torrential rain on and off during the week, it only stopped yesterday pm and the sun came out, leaving a balmy night and plenty of humidity.

Hope the Brisbane members are safe and well.