The East coast of Australia were batted by extremely violent storms over the past 24 hrs. Newcastle was hit fairly badly - flash flooding, power and water out etc.
Probably the most dramatic thing to happen was the "cutting" loose of a freighter.
Newcastle is a busy harbour (mainly for coal loading) and we often have a 100 ships waiting off the coast to get in. When storms hit they often head out to sea until it's over and then come and line up again.
Yesterday one of the ships broke anchor and got washed up on one of our main beaches. I thought I'd share them with you. Haven't really done anything with them - just thought I'd show you what happened.
This is the same beach as my Landscape entry
A road near my home washed a car away yesterday, containing a family of 2 adults and 3 kids.
Sadly they have found the bodies of 1 adult and 2 of the children. They are looking for the others now.
This is the worst weather I have ever seen
A road near my home washed a car away yesterday, containing a family of 2 adults and 3 kids.
Sadly they have found the bodies of 1 adult and 2 of the children. They are looking for the others now.
This is the worst weather I have ever seen
Here's a couple more.
Lots of people up at the beach photographing and looking.
Someone asked what the story was all about. The east coast was hit by incredible storms over the past 12 hours (more predicted tonight). Lots of rain and very high winds. So much rain in a short time that any low lying street was flooded. Many of the city roads in Newcastle were under 3 feet of water. Driving last night was like driving down a river. Many cars abanded - some (smaller models) even floated away off the road and onto gutters or centre strips. A bit like a war zone. Half the city is without power and water.Most of the streets covered with fallen trees, limbs etc.
Regarding the ship - because of the high winds and high seas many of the ships were ordered out to sea. There were a number of ships that didn't - this one included. It broke it's ankor and started to free float. It nearly hit the ocean baths and a rocky surfing beach and then ended up on this beach. The crew had to be taken off by helicopter. Two other ships were in danger, but with the lull in the weather there were able to get tugs behind them to keep off the beaches and back out to deeper water.
Very much appreciate you sharing the pictures and the story with us. Neat feature of this site - worldwide news in a very up close and personal way. How in the world are they gonna get it off that beach?
Heather
Maitland is suppose to be flooding today. The rising Hunter river caused flooding at Singleton (up the valley) last night and is suppose to cause havic in Maitland today. They have been evacuting people from low lying areas. Greenhills is on high ground away from the river - so they don't have to be moved. Also the rain last night wasn't as much as expected. They are still having flooding but at least it won't be worse than expected.
Thanks for the update, I had a feeling Greenhills may have been spared but one never knows what could happen at any time. Still, it is awful though, when they are caught unawares, in a way.
