Significant rain event 5/9/2008
The east coast low moving down the New South Wales coast has delivered some heavy coastal rainfalls for New South Wales especially in areas between Newcastle and the New South Wales / Queensland border.
On 4/9/2008 Seal Rock received a fall of 100 mm.
On 5/9/2008 the heaviest rainfalls in New South Wales occurred in 2 regions being the Richmond Tweed and the Coffs Harbour region. For the period 4/9/08 to 5/9/08 some of the the top falls for this region to 9 am were:-
Richmond / Tweed:
Doon Doon 112 mm, Limping Wood 105 mm, Huonbrook 93 mm, Green Pidgeon 89 mm, Dunoon 80 mm, Eungela 78 mm, Alstonville 75 mm, Nimbin 74 mm, Coolangatta 68 m, Ballina 62 mm and Tumblegum 58 mm.
Rainfalls tapered off for this region after 9 am.
Coffs Harbour:
Dorrigo has had the highest fall being 143 mm, Dorrigo Alert 132 mm, Bowra Sugarloaf 130 mm, Lowanna 130 mm and Girralong 106 mm. The hills behind Coffs Harbour and areas around Dorrigo are the wettest areas in New South Wales and this has been demonstrated again.
Lower totals include Thora Post Office 86 mm, Belibrook 70 mm, Lower Creek 62 mm and Red Hill 58 mm. Coffs Harbour urban area had 63 mm.
Since 9 am to 5 pm 5/9/08 rainfall totals for this area include Girralong 130 mm, Thora 100 mm, Bowra Sugarloaf 81 mm, Lowanna 70 mm, Upper Darkwood 61 mm and Red Hill 58 mm.
Orographic rainfall is common along the eastern escarpment of the Great Dividing Range which has occurred during this event, especially in this area.
During the period 9 am to 5 pm 5/9/08 the highest rainfall tally for Sydney include Sydney Olympic Park and West Pennant Hills 18 mm, Parramatta 16 mm, Kings Langley and Terrey Hills 15 mm. Falls of between 10 to 15 mm have been common with heavier totals north of Sydney.
The most significant totals for 5/9/08 are restricted to the coastal strip from Sydney north to south east Queensland.
Harley Pearman
