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In wake of floods, typical barbs at Kentucky political event

In wake of floods, typical barbs at Kentucky political event

FANCY FARM, Ky. (AP) — While Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was consoling families displaced by historic flooding in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, Republicans at the state’s premier political event on the other side of the state were campaigning to oust him from office in 2023.

GOP candidates speaking at the Fancy Farm picnic in western Kentucky bashed the Democratic governor’s record earlier in this term, especially his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. But they also offered support for recovery efforts that Beshear is leading in the wake of historic flooding and tornadoes.

While his challengers aimed zingers at him, Beshear spent the day meeting with families displaced by flash flooding that swamped the Appalachian region more than a week ago, killing 37. Beshear visited two state parks where some of the suddenly homeless took refuge.

“Today I’m at our state parks, spending time with our eastern Kentucky families who have been displaced from the catastrophic flooding,” Beshear posted on social media. “These Kentuckians have been through the unimaginable. My priority is being there for them.”

Last December, deadly tornadoes tore through parts of western Kentucky. The political speaking at the annual Fancy Farm picnic — the traditional start of the fall campaign in Kentucky — took place about 10 miles (16 km) from Mayfield, which took a direct hit from a tornado.

Living up to the event’s reputation for edgy attacks, Republicans wanting to unseat Beshear took aim at restrictions that the governor imposed on businesses and gatherings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor has said his actions of him saved lives at a perilous time when vaccines were not available. The state’s GOP-dominated legislature reined in the governor’s virus policymaking power in a case settled by the state’s Supreme Court.

GOP gubernatorial hopeful Ryan Quarles referred to Beshear as the “shutdown governor.”

“He shut down our economy,” said Quarles, the state’s agriculture commissioner. “I’ve shut down our ‘mom and pop’ stores. He killed countless jobs and kept the big box stores open.

“Folks, just because we lived through a global pandemic doesn’t mean that our rights, our freedoms and liberties should be tossed out the window,” he added.

In his speech, Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Colmon Elridge came to the defense of Beshear, who consistently receives strong approval ratings from Kentuckians in polls. Elridge praised Beshear’s efforts in leading recovery efforts in tornado-ravaged western Kentucky and said he’ll do the same for flood victims in the state’s Appalachian region.

“Once again, our governor is showing through his actions how we show up in moments of devastation and embrace our fellow Kentuckian, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Kentuckians,” Elridge said.

The governor is highlighting his management of the state’s economy in asking voters for a second term. Kentucky has posted records for job creation and investments during his term and recently posted its lowest-ever unemployment rates.

Beshear was already a committed no-show for the state’s premiere political event. The governor initially planned a visit to Israel that coincided with the Fancy Farm picnic. I canceled that trip after the massive flooding hit eastern Kentucky.

The Fancy Farm stage was dominated by Republican officeholders — reflecting the GOP’s electoral dominance. The event is a rite of passage for statewide candidates, who are tested in stump-style speeches in the August heat while facing taunts and shouts from partisans from the other party.

The political attacks were punctuated by calls for continued public support for people rebuilding from tornadoes and facing the same daunting task in flood-ravaged areas.

“We might be sharing a few laughs today, but whether we’re Republican or Democrat, know that we are with you,” said GOP gubernatorial hopeful Daniel Cameron. “When natural disasters strike, we take off our partisan hats and we root for each other. We help repair and we help rebuild.”

Cameron then shifted into promoting his candidacy. I have touted his endorsement from former President Donald Trump and his work from him as the state’s attorney general in defending Kentucky’s anti-abortion laws and fighting Biden administration policies in court.

“I am the best candidate and the only candidate that can beat Andy Beshear next fall,” Cameron said.

Two other GOP gubernatorial candidates also made pitches to the crowd and a statewide television audience that watched — state Auditor Mike Harmon and state Rep. Savannah Maddox.

The still-emerging 2023 governor’s race is already overshadowing the state’s top-of-the-ticket race this year — the contest between Republican US Sen. Rand Paul and Democratic challenger Charles Booker. Paul was unable to attend the picnic because of Senate duties.

Also missing from the political speaking Saturday was Kentucky’s most powerful Republican, Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell. A picnic mainstay for decades, McConnell relishes the verbal combat but also missed the event because of Senate duties. In a Senate speech Saturday, McConnell said the federal role in the long recovery for flood-damaged areas in his home state will grow once the rebuilding begins.

“Soon I’ll visit the region myself to meet with flood victims and listen to their concerns,” McConnell said. “Then I’ll take what I hear from my constituents back to Washington and ensure we stand by their side as we rebuild bigger and better than before.”

Biden declared a federal disaster to direct relief money to hard-hit Kentucky counties.

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US

Tribe: California wildfire near Oregon causes fish deaths

Tribe: California wildfire near Oregon causes fish deaths

HAPPY CAMP, Calif. — A wildfire burning in a remote area just south of the Oregon border appears to have caused the deaths of tens of thousands of Klamath River fish, the Karuk Tribe said Saturday.

The tribe said in a statement that the dead fish of all species were found Friday near Happy Camp, California, along the main stem of the Klamath River.

Tribal fisheries biologists believe a flash flood caused by heavy rains over the burn area caused a massive debris flow that entered the river at or near Humbug Creek and McKinney Creek, said Craig Tucker, a spokesman for the tribe.

The debris entering the river led to oxygen levels in the Klamath River dropping to zero on Wednesday and Thursday nights, according to readings from tribal monitors at a nearby water quality station.

A photo from the Karuk taken about 20 miles (32 kilometers) downstream from the flash flood in the tributary of Seiad Creek showed several dozen dead fish belly up amid sticks and other debris in thick, brown water along the river bank.

The full extent of the damage is still unclear but the tribe said late Saturday it appears the fish found dead 20 miles downstream were swept there after their deaths and that the fish kill isn’t impacting the entire river.

“We think the impact is limited to 10 or 20 miles of river in this reach and the fish we are seeing in Happy Camp and below are floating downstream from the ‘kill zone,’” the tribe said in an updated statement, adding it continues to monitor the situation.

The McKinney Fire, which has burned more than 90 square miles (233 square kilometers) in the Klamath National Forest, this week wiped out the scenic hamlet of Klamath River, where about 200 people lived. The flames killed four people in the tiny community and reduced most of the homes and businesses to ash.

Scientists have said climate change has made the West warmer and drier over the last three decades and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. Across the American West, a 22-year megadrought deepened so much in 2021 that the region is now in the driest spell in at least 1,200 years.

When it began, the McKinney Fire burned just several hundred acres and firefighters thought they would quickly bring it under control. But thunderstorms came in with ferocious gusts that within hours had pushed it into an unstoppable conflagration.

The blaze was 30% contained on Saturday.

The fish kill was a blow for the Karuk and Yurok tribes, which have been fighting for years to protect fragile populations of salmon in the Klamath River. The salmon are revered by the Karuk Tribe and the Yurok Tribe, California’s second-largest Native American tribe.

The federally endangered fish species has suffered from low flows in the Klamath River in recent years and a parasite that’s deadly to salmon flourished in the warmer, slower-moving water last summer, killing fish in huge numbers.

After years of negotiations, four dams on the lower river that impede the migration of salmon are on track to be removed next year in what would be the largest dam demolition project in US history in an attempt to help the fish recover.

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Flaccus reported from Portland, Oregon.

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US

Flash floods strand 1K people in Death Valley National Park

Flash floods strand 1K people in Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — Flash flooding at Death Valley National Park triggered by heavy rainfall on Friday buried cars, forced officials to close all roads in and out the park and stranded about 1,000 people, officials said

The park near the California-Nevada state line received at least 1.7 inches (4.3 centimeters) of rain at the Furnace Creek area, which park officials in a statement said represented “nearly an entire year’s worth of rain in one morning.” The park’s average annual rainfall is 1.9 inches (4.8 centimeters).

About 60 vehicles were buried in debris and about 500 visitors and 500 park workers were stranded, park officials said. There were no immediate reports of injuries and the California Department of Transportation estimated it would take four to six hours to open a road that would allow park visitors to leave.

It was the second major flooding event at the park this week. Some roads were closed Monday after they were inundated with mud and debris from flash floods that also hit western Nevada and northern Arizona hard.

The rain started around 2 am, said John Sirlin, a photographer for an Arizona-based adventure company who witnessed the flooding as he perched on a hillside boulder where he was trying to take pictures of lightning as the storm approached.

“It was more extreme than anything I’ve seen there,” said Sirlin, who lives in Chandler, Arizona, and has been visiting the park since 2016. He is the lead guide for Incredible Weather Adventures and said he started chasing storms in Minnesota and the high plains in the 1990s.

“I’ve never seen it to the point where entire trees and boulders were washing down. The noise from some of the rocks coming down the mountain was just incredible,” he said in a phone interview Friday afternoon.

“A lot of washes were flowing several feet deep. There are rocks probably 3 or 4 feet covering the road,” he said.

Sirlin said it took him about 6 hours to drive about 35 miles (56 kilometers) out of the park from near the Inn at Death Valley.

“There were at least two dozen cars that got smashed and stuck in there,” he said, adding that he didn’t see anyone injured “or any high water rescues.”

During Friday’s rainstorms, the “flood waters pushed dumpster containers into parked cars, which caused cars to collide into one another. Additionally, many facilities are flooded including hotel rooms and business offices,” the park statement said.

A water system that provides it for park residents and offices also failed after a line broke that was being repaired, the statement said.

A flash flood warning for the park and surrounding area expired at 12:45 pm, Friday but a flood advisory remained in effect into the evening, the National Weather Service said.

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Australia

Floods, storms and destructive winds set to smash parts of Australia

Floods, storms and destructive winds set to smash parts of Australia

Floods, destructive winds and thunderstorms are expected to smash large areas across Australia’s south east as wild weather moves across the country from Western Australia on Thursday.

Wild conditions have already lashed much of southern Australia, uprooting trees and sending thousands of homes into darkness as the destructive conditions caused blackouts.

Watch more storm damage in the video above

Watch the latest News on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>

But the Bureau of Meteorology says little relief is on the way, with severe conditions expected to smash the country’s south east again as a second cold front moves in, with WA, SA, NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania in the firing line.

“Flooding rain, thunderstorms and dangerous winds will spread over southern and southeastern Australia during the next two days, with warnings in place for several states,” Weatherzone Meteorologist Ben Domensino said on Wednesday.

“A series of cold fronts and low pressure troughs are sweeping across southern and southeastern Australia this week as a large and complex low pressure system passes to the south of the country.”

The destructive conditions forced Perth Airport to use a back-up generator on Tuesday evening, after a high-voltage transmission pole was damaged.

The chaos plunged the airport into darkness as flights were delayed and canceled and frustrated travelers were left stranded.

Wild weather caused the ceiling of this Perth home to collapse. Credit: 7NEWS
Trees were leveled across much of southern Australia as wild winds continued. Credit: 7NEWS

The damaging winds were felt across the country, with VIC SES receiving 399 calls for assistance in the 24 hours to midday Wednesday, mainly over fallen trees.

Meanwhile, emergency services in WA answered more than 440 calls for help since Tuesday afternoon and another 51 in the 24 hours to Tuesday night and 10 on Wednesday morning for SA SES.

Wind gusts hit a whopping 120km/h in WA on Wednesday morning at Cape Leeuwin, meanwhile SA’s Neptune Island recorded the state’s peak of 104km/h.

Mount William in Victoria was smashed by winds of up to 122km/h and NSW experienced its highest gusts of up to 107km/h at the snow mountains.

Wild weather to come

Looking ahead, BOM is warning damaging winds and dangerous surf are likely to hit SA, VIC, TAS, NSW and the ACT, as windy conditions finally ease in WA.

A second in a series of cold fronts will move through southern Australia on Thursday and is expected to bring heavy rainfall and potential flooding for northeast Victoria and south-east NSW, meteorologist Dean Narramore warned.

“Last night we saw a very strong cold front move through South Australia and Victoria and that brought damaging winds to numerous locations,” he said.

“But it is this next cold front that has got a link to tropical moisture that is really going to bring our heavy rainfall threat as we move into tomorrow.”

Trees down in Victoria. Credit: 7NEWS

Winds were expected to temporarily ease in SA on Wednesday night before re-intensifying on Thursday, with a severe weather warning in place for damaging winds across most districts.

Locations which may be affected include Adelaide, Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Mount Gambier, Ceduna, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Clare, Maitland, Murray Bridge, Kingscote and Naracoorte.

Damaging winds are set to re-develop over the eastern ranges in VIC on Wednesday night, with heavy rainfall expected on Thursday.

A severe weather warning is in place for parts of East Gippsland, North East and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts, and a flood watch has been issued for parts of the state’s northeast.

In NSW, damaging winds will continue over the south east, with gusts stronger than 125km/h likely to continue for alpine areas.

Lashings of rain which may lead to flash flooding could develop across the Snowy Mountains and the South West Slopes from early Thursday morning and the northern parts of the Central Tablelands from Thursday afternoon.

A flood watch is current for inland NSW central and southwest catchments.

Winds of up to 90km/h are expected in TAS, as VIC expects dangerous likes of 110 to 130km/h.

Scuba diving robot searches for sunken treasure.

Scuba diving robot searches for sunken treasure.

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Categories
Australia

Southern Queensland weather forecast for another wet spring

A lighting strike near grain silos

Authorities and farmers in Queensland are preparing for a wet spring after a “nightmare” winter of rain and flooding.

The Bureau of Metrology this week declared the Indian Ocean Dipole was “negative”, which typically meant wetter than normal weather over winter and spring for much of southern and eastern Australia.

The bureau said there was also a chance La Nina could re-form for a third time during spring.

Condamine farmer Jake Hamilton said he was slightly concerned about the forecast after an “absolute nightmare” winter of muddy paddocks at his southern Queensland property.

Mr Hamilton said he had received more than 150 millimeters of rain in May, which severely delayed the planting of crops.

“We’ve had a 75-tonne snatch strap tied to the front of our planting tractor for the last three months, and it has certainly got a lot of use,” Mr Hamilton said.

“We’ve been bogging machines left, right and centre, whether it’s tractors or sprayers, just trying to get through the mud.

“I don’t think anyone in our area is going to want to go through a harvest that was as wet as the planting that we just had.”

A tractor in a muddy paddock
Tractors have been getting bogged down in wet paddocks. (Supplied: Jake Hamilton)

Mr Hamilton said the season overall had been as good as farmers could have hoped for.

But he said if the forecast for a wet spring did eventuate, it could exacerbate problems with plant diseases.

He said combined with a shortage of fungicides, it could result in significant crop losses.

“But at the end of the day, it is just a forecast,” Mr Hamilton said.

“We’ve had La Nina years where we’ve had little to no rain, so we can only just keep an eye on the short range and see what happens.

“But at least we are sort of preparing for it to be quite wet.”

A man with a beard standing in front of some crops
Jake Hamilton says he’s slightly concerned about forecasts of a wet spring.(Supplied: Jake Hamilton)

Authorities get ready

Authorities have also started preparations for a wet spring, with flooding in Queensland this year having already claimed more than 20 lives.

Dam operator Sunwater said 11 of its 19 reservoirs across Queensland were either at or close to capacity.

A lot of water rushes over a dam spillway
Leslie Dam at Warwick is one of the 11 dams at full capacity.(Supplied: Chris McFerran)

Sunwater executive general manager of operations, Colin Bendall, said communities needed to be vigilant if more early spring or summer rain was coming.

“Some of the preparation we’ve been doing is we conduct exercises with the local disaster management groups, and the Bureau of Meteorology,” Mr Bendall said.

He said staff were also being trained in the use of emergency action plans in the event of any further spills from dams.

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wet-summer

University of Southern Queensland climatologist Chelsea Jarvis said there was between a 65 to 80 per cent chance regions such as the Darling Downs would exceed their median rainfall.

She said scientists would continue to monitor the situation to see whether the Indian Ocean Dipole strengthened towards the end of the year.

“The end of this Indian Ocean Dipole event, whether it be October or December, can also determine how the likelihood of rain going into summer,” Ms Jarvis said.

“The second thing I’d be looking out for is what’s going on in the Pacific Ocean with this La Nina event, it’s just sort of hanging out there.”

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Categories
Australia

Perth weather: Rain forecast as WA counts the cost of wild storms

Perth weather: Rain forecast as WA counts the cost of wild storms

Perth is mopping up and counting the cost after days of wild storms left homes damaged.

While conditions eased overnight, emergency services answered more than 102 calls for help since 5am yesterday.

Millions of dollars of insurance claims have already been lodged after the storms wreaked havoc from Butler to Mandurah and down into the South West from Monday to Wednesday. Insurer RAC says it has received around $5 million worth of damages claims.

The super storms which lashed WA for days were accompanied by destructive gale force winds, with the worst of it recorded early Tuesday. Cape Leeuwin recorded a 135km/h wind gust at 12.47am, Bickley 117km/h at 2.47am, Cape Naturaliste 115km/h at 6.47 pm, Mandurah 109km/h at 2.59am, Gingin Airport 109 km/h at 2.11 am.

Storm conditions in North Beach today.
Camera IconStorm conditions in North Beach. Credit: michael wilson/The West Australian

In good news, most power has been restored to homes and businesses left in the dark after trees topped multiple power lines. At the height of the chaos 35,000 homes were without power but Western Power crews have worked through the night to get the lights back on.

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Categories
Australia

Perth weather: Worst of storms over but more rain on the way

Perth weather: Worst of storms over but more rain on the way

With the worst of the storms over, the rain certainly isn’t and Perth has been warned to brace for showers until the end of the week.

The severe weather warning has now been canceled for the metro area but wild winds and showers are still to come.

Emergency services spent another day on Wednesday fighting the brunt of Perth’s severe storm as calls continued to rise, with several regions across the State breaking wind gust records.

The living room ceiling of a Joondalup home collapsed on 13-year-old Dominic Vaughan who was watching TV with his father.

“We heard it crack…I thought it would collapse then but then we heard a crack again and after that the roof just fell,” he told Nine News.

“It was so scary.”

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Categories
US

When severe storms could bring damaging winds, flooding, hail, tornadoes to Metro Detroit

When severe storms could bring damaging winds, flooding, hail, tornadoes to Metro Detroit

DETROIT – A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for Genesee, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.

We’re topping out in the 90s Wednesday afternoon, but with high dew points, it’s going to feel like triple digits.

Some relief is in store the next few days, but not much, as it’s still going to be somewhat muggy. It just won’t be as hot, with highs back in the 80s to near 90 by Saturday.

Strong storms rest of Wednesday

  • Tracking storms to our north and west this afternoon. This activity moves through later this afternoon and this evening.

  • 5 pm to 10 pm is the window for these storms to move through, west to east.

  • Severe weather is very possible, as just about all of Southeast Michigan is under a slight risk (level 2 of 5).

  • Main concern will be strong damaging winds, but isolated flooding due to heavy downpours is also something to keep an eye out for.

  • Hail and tornadoes are lower on the threat scale, but still there. These storms are also likely to produce a lot of lightning.

  • The storm threat comes to an end before midnight, but a few showers will likely linger at times during the overnight.

Rain/storm chance Thursday

  • A few showers will be around at times on Thursday, but by no means are we talking about a wash-out.

  • During the afternoon Thursday, enough instability will build back up to try and produce a few more spotty storms. Not widespread like what we get this evening, nor will they be as strong, but there will likely be a couple across the area.

Weekend forecast

  • Friday and Saturday still look mainly dry, with perhaps the slight chance for a few isolated pop-up showers (most staying dry though).

  • Sunday’s timing may be tweaked a bit as long range models differ on when that next system arrives. Right now keeping chances in there later Sunday into Monday.

Remember to download the FREE Local4Casters weather app — it’s easily one of the best in the nation. Just search your app store under WDIV and it’s right there available for both iPhones and Androids! Or click the appropriate link below.

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Categories
Australia

Sydney news: Kean, Elliot, Ward, Henskens fri for Liberal deputy leadership after Stuart Ayres’s resignation

A man wearing a suit

Here’s what you need to know this morning.

Replacing Stuart Ayres

Jostling is underway for the deputy leadership of the New South Wales Liberal Party after the resignation of Stuart Ayres from cabinet yesterday.

The main contenders so far are: Treasurer Matt Kean, Transport Minister David Elliott, Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward and the Science, Innovation and Technology and Skills and Training Minister Alister Henskens.

Mr Ayres resigned from his portfolios and leadership position in the Liberal Party after an inquiry “raised concerns” about his conduct in the appointment of John Barilaro to a lucrative US trade role.

The deputy leadership will be determined at a party room meeting next Tuesday.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced three New South Wales ministers will have their portfolios expanded to take over Mr Ayres’s ministerial responsibilities.

Mr Henskens will also add Enterprise, Investment and Trade and Sport to his list of portfolios.

Ben Franklin — who already is Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for Regional Youth — will add Minister for Tourism to his portfolio.

David Elliott — who is Minister for Transport and Minister for Veterans Affairs — will add Minister for Western Sydney to his portfolio.

Aboriginal inmates on rise

New data reveals Aboriginal people remain over-represented in NSW jails.

Bureau of Crime Statistics figures show the overall number of prisoners dropped since the start of the COVID pandemic, with around 1,000 fewer inmates than three years ago.

However the number of Aboriginal men in jail has risen by more than 100 and they are now 28 per cent of the jail population.

Aboriginal women make up 40 per cent of the state’s jail population.

Police release images in murder probe

A woman in a white car
Police have released images of a man and woman who may have seen something that can help their investigation. (Supplied: NSW Police)

Detectives have released images of two people they believe could help with their investigations into the murder of Western Sydney man Shady Kanj.

Shortly after 11pm on Friday, August 6, Mr Kanj was treated for gun shot wounds by paramedics on Rhodes Avenue, Guildford.

Despite their efforts, Mr Kanj died at the scene.

Strike force detectives have released CCTV of a man and woman in a white Audi Q5 captured at a fast-food restaurant on the corner of Vaughan Street and Olympic Drive at Lidcombe prior to the murder.

They do not believe the man and woman were involved in the murder, however, they may have information that could assist with inquiries.

Homicide squad commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty urged the man and woman, or those with knowledge of their identities, to come forward.

Premier criticized over Leichhardt snub

Paul Gallen runs out at Leichhardt Oval
Leichhardt Oval is set to miss out on redevelopment funding.(AAP Images: Craig Golding)

New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet has been criticized for committing more than $300 million to rebuilding Penrith Stadium while ignoring Leichhardt Oval.

NRL boss Peter V’landys said the government had reneged on a promise to upgrade a number of suburban grounds.

Inner-West Deputy Mayor Jessica D’Arienzo said that it was despite more games and more sports being played at Leichhardt.

“It means that, again, Leichhardt misses out,” Ms D’Arienzo said.

“We should make it clear that it’s not just the Tigers that play there. Actually, you’ve got soccer, the rugby league and rugby union. We’ve got around 50 to 60 games a year being played on Leichhardt oval.”

Call for flood report’s release

a man looking
NSW Labor’s Jihad Dib wants the findings released.(abcnews)

The New South Wales government has been criticized by the opposition for failing to release the findings of an inquiry into the floods earlier this year.

Severe weather and flooding devastated the Northern Rivers and Hawkesbury Nepean regions in February and March.

Premier Dominic Perrottet was due to release the final report from the inquiry on July 31.

Opposition emergency services and climate and environment spokesperson Jihad Dib said Mr Perrottet must put aside political issues within his party and release the report immediately.

“Local communities that are devastated by the floods are not interested in the government’s internal rumblings,” he said.

“What they’re interested in is a report that identifies what went wrong and a pathway forward into the future.

“He needs to release the report now rather than when its politically expedient to do so.”

Empty CBD offices

The number of empty offices in Sydney’s CBD has risen, which the property council says is due to an increase in supply.

Office vacancies in the CBD have risen from 9.3 per cent to 10.1 per cent, according to the Property Council of Australia’s latest Office Market Report.

The council says that, while vacancies have risen, the figures are actually positive, given the pressures of COVID-19, working from home and industrial action.

Property Council executive director Luke Achterstraat said there was still strong commercial property confidence in Sydney.

Thredbo cancels lift operations

A landscape photo of the ski slopes at Thredbo in 2019
Damaging winds averaging 80 to 90 kilometers per hour are forecast. (ABC South East NSW: Adriane Reardon)

Thredbo resort has made the decision not to operate any ski lifts on Thursday due to an extreme weather forecast.

A complex low pressure system, along with an associated through and cold front, are causing vigorous winds across south-east New South Wales, as well as the potential for heavy rainfall from Thursday morning.

Damaging winds averaging 80-90 kilometers per hour are forecast for Alpine areas above 1,900 meters.

Five teenagers charged after stabbing

Police have charged five teenagers after a stabbing at Bankstown in South-West Sydney.

About 3:15pm yesterday, emergency services were called to Chapel Road, where they found a 15-year-old boy with stab wounds, who they took to hospital.

Two other 15-year-old boys were also injured.

Five teenagers aged between 15 and 16 years were arrested.

The five were taken to Bankstown Police Station, where all were charged with reckless wounding in company, and affray.

They were refused bail and are due to appear before a Children’s Court on Thursday.

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Categories
Australia

NSW and Victoria weather forecast predicts rain, winds and floods

Lady walking in the rain along city street with red umbrella.

The weather is expected to keep getting wetter for inland NSW and Victoria’s alpine regions today as the biggest frontal system of the season sweeps through.

The complex low pressure system is not being followed by the usual piercingly cold change, which is great news for those who are sick of shivering but a worry for the ski fields.

Why all the wild weather?

The first in a series of cold fronts moved through Western Australia on Monday, where some Perth suburbs were hit by their highest wind gusts on record and power outages caused havoc at the airport.

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The next swept across South Australia on Tuesday.

Today a third is sweeping across the south-east.

“That’s going to tap into some tropical moisture, leading to widespread rainfall across much of inland New South Wales and north-eastern parts of Victoria,” weather bureau meteorologist Dean Narramore said.

“The main band will really start to pick up on Thursday morning and then become widespread across New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria Thursday afternoon and Thursday night.”

He said the heaviest falls were expected west of the Great Dividing Range.

Map of Australia green over southern states indicating rainfall expected
Heavy rain is expected over the next few days.(Supplied: Bureau of Meteorology)

“This is more of an inland rain event,” Mr Narramore said.

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He said more than 100 millimetres of rain could fall on Victorian alpine regions today.

“That could lead to minor to moderate flooding on some of our rivers, creeks and streams,” he said.

“So something to watch as you move through later into Thursday into Friday.”

Rain is also expected to continue over northern and western parts of Tasmania, where flood warnings are also current.

Wind impacts are not expected to be as bad as in the past few days.

But Mr Narramore warned likes of about 100 kilometers an hour were still likely through north-eastern parts of Victoria, particularly for alpine areas.

He said elevated parts of New South Wales were also at risk of strong winds, with likes of up to 125 kilometers an hour predicted in the Snowy Mountains.

Watch for warnings

Victoria State Emergency Service chief officer of operations, Tim Wiebusch, urged people to keep up with emergency information.

“Ensure you listen to the advice of emergency services, and secure loose items in and around your home, park your vehicle undercover, away from trees and remain indoors until the severe weather has passed,” he said.

“As we are expecting heavy rain in parts of Victoria, it’s important you never drive through floodwater.

“Attempting to drive through flood waters may be the last decision you make,” he said.

Bad news for the snowfields

Cold fronts are usually followed by a blast of icy southerly air. But this time around temperatures have remained remarkably balmy.

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