Fire and Rescue NSW responded to a challenging remote area rescue operation between Tumbarumba and Batlow. Photo: Fire and Rescue NSW Zone Regional South 3.
Major clean-up efforts are underway following the violent supercell thunderstorm that wreaked havoc across the Riverina yesterday (15 January).
The supercell thunderstorm hit Wagga Wagga just after 2 pm lashing the city with heavy rain, hail, lightning and extreme winds that exceeded 100 km/h.
NSW SES Deputy Zone Commander Superintendent Shane Hargrave said SES received more than 180 calls for help.
“This mainly related to trees down, across roads and in backyards, but also due to fallen power lines, and fence and wind damage that occurred on properties,” Supt Hargrave said.
“We encourage the community to use caution. There is quite a lot of debris damage and those fallen power lines.
Four men suffered injuries in Bomen when an accommodation donga was turned over by the wind.
As the gale-force winds ripped through the Bomen industrial estate, shipping containers stacked alongside the rail corridor were toppled and strewn across the intermodal freight hub.
More than 4000 homes in Wagga were left without power.
Photo: NSW SES Wagga Wagga.
Fire and Rescue NSW said firefighters responded to a challenging remote area rescue operation between Tumbarumba and Batlow yesterday just before 7 pm.
In dense and mountainous bushland, a tree had come down and struck a vehicle on an isolated track about five kilometres off the nearest roadway.
Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters needed to cut their way through the bushland, which had been heavily impacted by an earlier storm, requiring chainsaws.
Firefighters needed to remove the rear door of the vehicle to allow NSW Ambulance paramedics to access the injured.
Wagga Wagga City Council Fee Waiver For Green Waste
To assist with the clean-up efforts, Wagga Wagga City Council General Manager Peter Thompson said residents could take their green waste to Gregadoo Waste Management Centre (GWMC) free of charge from Thursday 16 January to Sunday 26 January.
“The waste must come from the Wagga Wagga Local Government area, and anyone delivering green waste to the facility must provide proof of residency and sign a declaration that the waste resulted from the storm,” Mr Thompson said.
“We ask residents to be mindful of contamination in any green waste. Because there will be increased traffic at the GWMC, resulting in longer wait times at the weighbridge, we ask visitors to be patient and respectful of staff.
Riverina Water Urges Water Conservation
Riverina Water has issued an urgent appeal to residents in Brucedale, Oura, Tarcutta, Humula, and Ladysmith.
“Due to ongoing power outages from yesterday’s storm, residents in these areas must use water for essential purposes only,” Riverina Water said in a statement.
“This is to ensure there is enough water storage to supply residents while Essential Energy completes repair works.
“Riverina Water is sourcing additional generators to support supply levels, however, it is vital that the community limit their water usage.”
Riverina Water said due to the changes in flow and interruptions to supply, residents in the affected areas might experience discoloured water.
There is a temporary water outage in Brucedale. When water is restored, residents must only use water for essential purposes until further notice.
Riverina Water has bottled water available for residents urgently needing water during this time. Please contact Riverina Water on 6922 0608 to arrange this.
The storms are part of an upper-level pool of cold air crossing southeastern Australia and interacting with a cold front, low-pressure trough and moisture-laden air creating ideal conditions for dangerous thunderstorms.
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