NSW drought: Australia Day long weekend rainfall brings relief to Central and North West regions
The state’s drought-crippled west had more reason to celebrate during the Australia Day long weekend after some true blue rainfall swamped paddocks and created rivers across properties.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Residents in the state’s drought-stricken west were ‘thrilled’ when thunderstorms brought rapid downpours over the Australia Day long weekend.
Fast and heavy rain fell across parts of the Central and North West, swamping paddocks and “creating rivers” across properties.
MORE NEWS
UNSW student isolated as latest coronavirus case
Star NRL player tasered by police after Ivy party
Fundraiser set up for killed US firefighters
‘Emotional’: Bridges confirms split after drink driving charge
Lynda Hill’s farm dogs went for an impawmptu swim on Saturday after her Timbumburi property’s dam refilled completely.
“During the past week we’ve had between 90 and 100mm,” Ms Hill said.
“Our dam had been dry for nearly 18 months. The dogs took one look and bolted. They were like naughty kids in a swimming pool.”
Loren Bennett’s family home was flooded by sudden rainfall in Molong, a small town northwest of Orange, but the 33-year-old said that the deluge was the “best gift” she’d ever received on Australia Day.
“We’ve been having to ship in water for over two-and-a-half years, and now all of our tanks are full and our dam is overflowing,” Ms Bennett said.
“We cried, we were just so happy. The damage to the house is pretty bad but we’re covered by insurance, the rain is priceless.”
Weather bureau spokeswoman Rosemary Barr said “significant rainfall across large areas of NSW” was due to a moist air mass causing thunderstorms.
She said it was “fantastic to see” the falls but NSW still had a significant rainfall deficit.
Originally published as NSW drought: Australia Day long weekend rainfall brings relief to Central and North West regions