[rfs-bluemountains-information] Severe Thunderstorm Warning - Friday 29 Jan

Good Afternoon Everyone,

 

At 4:00pm this afternoon several storm cells were visible on the Bureau of Meteorology rain radar. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are included in today's Central Tablelands forecast.

 

At 4:17pm, the Bureau issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for large hailstones, flash flooding and damaging wind for a number of forecast areas, including the Central Tablelands.

 

The text of the warning is as follows:

Issued at 4:17 pm Friday, 29 January 2010.

 

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, very heavy

rainfall, flash flooding and damaging winds in the warning area over the next

several hours. Locations which may be affected include Scone, Armidale,

Tamworth, Gunnedah, Moree and Narrabri.

 

Although the Blue Mountains is not specifically mentioned, there is some storm activity in the area.

 

A small storm cell is currently over the Warragamba Catchment, moving toward Hazelbrook, Woodford and surrounding areas. Another larger cell, with heavy rain and some lightning activity, is currently 20km South of Katoomba and moving to the North & West.

 

Residents are advised to take care, especially when driving, and are reminded to switch on their headlights when driving in adverse weather conditions.

 

 

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

* 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.

* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES [NSW and ACT] on 132 500.

 

For all life-threatening emergencies, call '000' immediately!

 

Regards,

 

 

 

Inspector Eric J Berry
Community Safety Officer
Blue Mountains District
NSW Rural Fire Service

Working towards a FireWise community

Emergency Services Centre
Cnr Bathurst Rd & Valley Rd
KATOOMBA NSW 2780

Ph: 02 4784 7444 (Office)
Ph: 02 4784 7416 (Direct)
Ph: 0414 195 615 (Mobile)
Fax: 02 4784 7461
E-Mail: eric.berry@rfs.nsw.gov.au <mailto:eric.berry@rfs.nsw.gov.au>

 

 

This email message is intended only for the addressee(s) and contains information which may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete this email and any copies or links to this email completely and immediately from your system. Views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, and are not necessarily the views of the NSW Rural Fire Service. 

[rfs-bluemountains-information] Thunderstorm advice - 1:10pm Thur 28 Jan

Good Afternoon Everyone,

 

There is currently a strong storm cell overhead Katoomba and moving in an easterly direction. A formal Thunderstorm Warning has not yet been issued.

 

Similar to yesterday, one large storm cell is currently over the Warragamba Catchment, moving toward Warragamba and Camden. Another cell is currently over Katoomba. It is intensifying and moving to the east. A third cell is developing to the south of Oberon and moving toward the Blue Mountains.

 

Thunder, lightning and heavy local rain is expected to continue as the storm cell moves east. Some localised flash flooding may occur.

 

Residents are advised to take care, especially when driving, and are reminded to switch on their headlights when driving in adverse weather conditions.

 

For all life-threatening emergencies, call '000' immediately!

 

 

Inspector Eric J Berry
Community Safety Officer
Blue Mountains District
NSW Rural Fire Service

Working towards a FireWise community

Emergency Services Centre
Cnr Bathurst Rd & Valley Rd
KATOOMBA NSW 2780

Ph: 02 4784 7444 (Office)
Ph: 02 4784 7416 (Direct)
Ph: 0414 195 615 (Mobile)
Fax: 02 4784 7461
E-Mail: eric.berry@rfs.nsw.gov.au <mailto:eric.berry@rfs.nsw.gov.au>

 

 

This email message is intended only for the addressee(s) and contains information which may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete this email and any copies or links to this email completely and immediately from your system. Views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, and are not necessarily the views of the NSW Rural Fire Service. 

[rfs-bluemountains-information] Severe Thunderstorm Warning - Wednesday 27 Jan

Good Afternoon Everyone,

 

At 2:13pm this afternoon the Bureau of Meteorology issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for various locations, including the Blue Mountains.

 

One large storm cell is currently over the Warragamba Catchment, moving toward Warragamba and Camden. Another cell is currently 16km west of Katoomba and moving directly east. A third cell is over Lithgow and is also heading east toward Kurrajong.

 

The text of the warning follows:

 

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones and damaging winds

over the next several hours in the CENTRAL TABLELANDS district. Locations which

may be affected include Orange, Mudgee, Bathurst and Katoomba.

 

 

 

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

* 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.

* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES [NSW and ACT] on 132 500.

 

For all life-threatening emergencies, call '000' immediately!

 

 

Inspector Eric J Berry
Community Safety Officer
Blue Mountains District
NSW Rural Fire Service

Working towards a FireWise community

Emergency Services Centre
Cnr Bathurst Rd & Valley Rd
KATOOMBA NSW 2780

Ph: 02 4784 7444 (Office)
Ph: 02 4784 7416 (Direct)
Ph: 0414 195 615 (Mobile)
Fax: 02 4784 7461
E-Mail: eric.berry@rfs.nsw.gov.au <mailto:eric.berry@rfs.nsw.gov.au>

 

 

This email message is intended only for the addressee(s) and contains information which may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete this email and any copies or links to this email completely and immediately from your system. Views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, and are not necessarily the views of the NSW Rural Fire Service. 

[rfs-bluemountains-information] Total Fire Ban Advice for Saturday 23 Jan 2010

Good Evening Everyone,

　

On Saturday, hot, dry and windy conditions are expected to increase fire dangers to dangerous levels in parts of NSW.

A TOTAL FIRE BAN has been declared for tomorrow, Saturday 23 January 2010.

　

　

The Commissioner, NSW Rural Fire Service will TOTALLY BAN THE LIGHTING OF FIRES from midnight tonight [Friday 22 Jan 2010] until midnight tomorrow night [Saturday 23 Jan 2010] in the following NSW Fire Areas:

Greater Hunter, Greater Sydney Region

Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Central Ranges, Southern Ranges, Monaro Alpine,

Upper Central West Plains, Lower Central West Plains,

Southern Slopes, Eastern Riverina, Southern Riverina,

Northern Riverina, South Western.

 

The Blue Mountains Local Government Area is part of the Greater Sydney Region Fire Area.

　

What does this mean?

 

Saturday will be warm, dry and windy. This combination can effect fire behaviour and cause smaller fires to increase in size and intensity quite rapidly. The lower-than-average humidity and strong winds - even in the absence of high temperatures - is of greatest concern.

　

Volunteer Firefighters from the NSW Rural Fire Service will be on stand-by at a number of locations throughout the area.

 

During a Total Fire Ban no fire may be lit in the open and all Fire permits are suspended. This includes incinerators and barbecues which burn solid fuel, e.g. wood or charcoal.  

 

You may use a gas or electric barbecue, but only if:

 

It is on a residential property within 20 metres of the house or dwelling

It is a picnic area and the appliance is approved by Council, National Parks or State Forest

It is under the direct control of a responsible adult

The ground within 2 metres of the barbecue is cleared of all materials which could burn

You have an immediate and continuous supply of water available

 

Lighting a fire on a day of Total Fire Ban attracts a fine of up to $5500 and/or 12 months gaol. Penalties for a fire that escapes and damages or destroys life, property or the environment can attract much greater fines and gaol terms with maximums at $100,000 and/or 14 years gaol.  

　

　

What can I do?

 

Be aware. If a bushfire does get going, the situation can change very quickly. Be prepared to activate your Bushfire Survival Plan.

　

During days where a Total Fire Ban has been declared, we will be doing our best to keep everyone informed of any major incidents that might impact on our community. This may not necessarily be a fire in the Blue Mountains, but even a fire in another area can send significant amounts of smoke in our direction.

　

　

If you see a fire, report it immediately by calling '000' and asking for the Fire Brigade!

　

　

　

Stay safe,

 

Eric.

 

 

Inspector Eric J Berry
Community Safety Officer
Blue Mountains District
NSW Rural Fire Service

Working towards a FireWise community

Emergency Services Centre
Cnr Bathurst Rd & Valley Rd
KATOOMBA NSW 2780

Ph: 02 4784 7444 (Office)
Ph: 02 4784 7416 (Direct)
Ph: 0414 195 615 (Mobile)
Fax: 02 4784 7461
E-Mail: eric.berry@rfs.nsw.gov.au <mailto:eric.berry@rfs.nsw.gov.au>

 

 

This email message is intended only for the addressee(s) and contains information which may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete this email and any copies or links to this email completely and immediately from your system. Views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, and are not necessarily the views of the NSW Rural Fire Service.