Extreme Weather Australia

Extreme Weather in Australia, Preparedness according to (http://hardenup.org/prepare-yourself/practical-preparation-advice/your-family/prepare-for-severe-storms.aspx) 

What you can do to prepare for severe storm season
  • Be aware of severe storm patterns in your area by signing up to Early Warning Network. You'll receive a free phone call or text from your local emergency authority, if they're part of the Network to alert you of severe weather in your area.
  • Trim trees, remove overhanging branches and clear gutters and down pipes, clear yard of loose materials and rubbish
  • Check your roof is in good repair. Secure loose roof tiles or sheets of iron.
  • Protect sky lights with wire mesh and fit glass windows and doors with shutters or insect screens
  • Prepare a Household Emergency Kit and make sure all family members know where the kit is located
  • Check boats are securely moored, or protected on land
The Bureau of Meteorology issues Severe Weather Warnings whenever severe weather is occurring in an area or is expected to develop or move into an area. The warnings describe the area under threat and the expected hazards. Warnings are issued with varying lead-times, depending on the weather situation, and range from just an hour or two to 24 hours or sometimes more.

With a landmass of just under 3 million square miles (7.7 million square kilometers), Australia is home to a diverse and varied climate. From earthquakes to bushfires to floods, the country has witnessed environmental extremes leading to huge economic damage and loss of life.


Over the course of a week in Feb. 2019, Queensland received over 19.5 inches of rainfall in a 186 by 125 mile area. This, combined with the severe drought experienced in the region over the previous five years, led to record floods around the Flinders River and surrounding areas. (Shown below) 

Slide 2 of 11: TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 04: Seen is a general view of a blocked major intersection in the flooded Townsville suburb of Idalia on February 04, 2019 in Townsville, Australia. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned Townsville residents that flooding has not yet reached its peak as torrential rain continues. The continued inundation forced authorities to open the floodgates on the swollen Ross River dam on Sunday night. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
It is estimated the event caused up to 500,000 deaths to cattle with severe economic and environmental impacts.


Slide 6 of 11: Red dust envelops the Harbour, Bridge and Opera House on September 23, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. Sydneysiders woke this morning to one of the worst 'u201cred dust'u201d storms in the city's history as a blanket of red dust hit the city just before dawn. The red dust has been lifted up by high winds from central Australia and moved across the country dumping it onto the city's famous landmarks. The Opera House and the Harbour Bridge looked like they had landed on Mars as locals and visitors alike woke early to witness the red visitor. Chaos followed on the roads, ferries were completely cancelled on the harbour and flights into and out of Sydney airport were delayed, cancelled or diverted.
Sept. 2009, Australian states of New South Wales and Queensland witnessed a dust storm at its worst. Sydney was struck with a red dust storm, which wreaked havoc on both the states, disturbed transport systems, and caused severe respiratory illness among local populations.


Sources: https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/extreme-weather-events-in-australias-history/ss-BBTFr8c#image=6 
http://www.bom.gov.au/weather-services/severe-weather-knowledge-centre/WarningsInformation_SW_SWW.shtml 
    



Comments

  1. Ana GGApril 14, 2019 at 11:08 AM

    Thank you for your research. Unfortunately I haven't been able to see those slides..I don't know if you can from where you posted...maybe it's just me..

    ReplyDelete

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