Hail Storm

[Sl!m]

http://smh.com.au/news/national/hail-alert...0006053030.html

major storm is sweeping NSW, and forecasters are warning of large hailstones, 125kmh winds, heavy rain and the danger of flash floods.

The Bureau of Meteorology has received reports of hail the size of golf balls smashing windows, damaging cars and stripping trees near the Hunter Valley.

And it is warning of very heavy rainfall which may cause flash flooding.

The severe weather warnings cover the ACT, the NSW Southern Tablelands and much of the north-east of the state north of Gosford and east of Bourke.

Andrew Haigh, the bureau's severe weather forcaster, said a storm just north of Newcastle was looking particularly menacing on radar, with winds of more than 125kmh predicted.

The bureau has issued the following advice to people in the path of the storm:

■ Move your car under cover or away from trees.

■ Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.

■ Keep clear of fallen power lines.

■ Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.

■ Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.

■ Unplug computers and appliances.

■ Avoid using the phone during the storm.

■ Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.

Kelvin Woodward, owner of the Bulahdelah Motor Lodge on the Pacific Highway west of Seal Rocks, said his town was battered by a hail storm shortly after 2.30pm AEST today.

"There was real severe lightning and thunder and heavy rain while it was hailing," he said.

The storm lasted about 20 minutes, damaging flyscreens and smashing a window.

"We were probably extremely lucky that the hail [fell] almost vertical, had it been at a bit more of an angle there would have been a lot more damage around."

Current weather warnings can be viewed online at the Bureau of Meteorology website; http://www.bom.gov.au.

Edited October 24, 2005 by sl!m

[br3tt]

Ouch..

Thanks for the heads up.

Car is in the garage as per usual

[flukey]

lucky u told me man the wind is coming in and the sky is like scary its gonna comm down any min

[Freeman]

My Dads friend got a cricket ball sized hailstone through her windscreen today driving through Bulladelah...

Edited October 24, 2005 by Lukeisbuyinga33

[flukey]

hey nothing happen to in syd, there wasn't even rain did any one get hit by the hail storm??????

[Freeman]

Just a bit of lightning and rain in Newy

[lingeringsoul]

hailing in chatwood @ 2pm....lucky I wasn't out..........

[Sl!m]

I thought it was about to start hailing today in St Leonards when I got to work.. was sitting in my car as I parked.. thinking..

'Oh Crap'

[SiVaK]

Yeah i work in st leonards too near holden and had to run out and move my car under cover quickly when the hail hit..wasnt too bad though they were only about the size of a 10c piece

[Marsss]

all's well...

[Sl!m]

all is very well

http://mirror.bom.gov.au/products/IDR033.shtml