UNDER SIEGE
Fire-ravaged Australia battered by ‘once-in-100-year’ storms as theme parks, homes and businesses flooded
FIRE-ravaged Australia has been battered by “once-in-100-year” storms leaving theme parks, homes and businesses flooded.
The country has been hit by some of the worst wildfires in its history in recent months, with millions of acres of bushland destroyed and at least 29 people killed.
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And the states worst affected by the blazes – Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland – are now dealing with torrential rain, causing road closures and flash flooding.
Major highways were closed in Queensland early today amid warnings of caused “life-threatening” flash flooding, with the state getting some of the heaviest rain Australia has seen for months.
Two people were stranded after trying to drive through floodwater on the coast, and police have received more than 50 reports of flooded roads across the region.
Bureau of Meteorology in Queensland forecaster Kimba Wong said the thunderstorms were a “one-in-100-year event”.
Parts of Queensland's south saw triple the monthly rainfall overnight.
'UNPRECEDENTED' DAMAGE
All four of the state’s them parks were closed, with MovieWorld and Wet N Wild both completely flooded.
In New South Wales – which has borne the brunt of the fires – the rain was initially welcomed.
But powerful storms overnight caused power cuts in places, with 2,400 homes left without electricity in the state’s south coast region after “unprecedented” damage.
And the storms are set to continue with the weather front that caused flooding in Queensland steaming towards the neighbouring state.
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The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the state’s north.
And it warned torrential downpours in fire-ravaged areas was more likely to lead to flash floods and falling trees.
The Bureau cautioned: “Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid.
“It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
“Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.”
SUPERCELL STORMS
Experts said earlier this week that torrential rainfall is inevitable after the horrific bushfire season.
Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino said low pressure combined with heavy moisture in the air is creating the storms.
He said: “While this type of weather pattern is not unusual for this time of year, it's the first widespread rain and storm event we've seen in eastern Australia so far this season.
“Showers and storms will start to increase over Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria from Wednesday and continue to effect parts of eastern Australia each day, until at least early each next week.”
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And Sky News chief meteorologist Tom Saunders warned by Monday the country could see supercell storms - mega-storms can produce torrential amounts of hail, rain and strong winds.
Hundreds of fires have raged across the country, destroying more than 2,500 homes and killing thousands of animals.
The country will take a century to recover from the devastation- and smoke from the massive infernos will be seen all over the world, experts say.
What is a supercell?
Often referred to as a 'rotating thunderstorms', supercells are the least common kind of thunderstorm.
They occur when rising swells of warm air push through an overlying stable layer of cool, dry air.
The swirling mega-storms can produce torrential amounts of hail, rain and strong winds.
And around 30 per cent of supercells create devtasting tornadoes.
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Staff carry koalas to safety during a flash flood at Australia Reptile Park in Somersby, 30 miles north of Sydney
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