Extreme weather helped to make it an Australia Day to remember for grey nomads on both the east and west coast.
While Perth sweltered in near record high temperatures and a cyclone
alert was issued for the north-west, much of the east coast was copping a severe drenching.
Northern New South Wales and the south-east of Queensland saw the heaviest rainfall with some homes and caravan parks inundated with floodwater and roads closed. The Pacific Highway was unpassable in a couple of places between Coffs Harbour and Grafton although the weather bureau said downpours should gradually ease over the weekend.
Earlier, about 500 caravans from eight caravan parks near Tweed Heads were evacuated, although residents and holidaymakers were later able to return.
Clearly, road conditions were – and are – horrendous, and there have
been many accidents. Fallen trees and branches have caused driving
hazards, and vehicles have also become stuck in water. Around 10
vehicles had to be rescued when they became stranded together at a creek near Corindi, north of Coffs Harbour
“The message to motorists is, do not go on the roads,” NSW Emergency Services Minister Mike Gallacher said. “If you are in a dry, safe place, stay where you are, and wait for this weather condition to pass over.”
Meanwhile, Peth has been sweating its way through 40 degree plus
temperatures with beaches offering the best place for holidaymakers to cool off. Any nomad still up north in WA though should be aware that a cyclone advisory warning has been issued in parts of the Pilbara and Mid West-Gascoyne regions. The Bureau of Meteorology says category 1 Tropical Cyclone Iggy is expected to intensify as it moves towards the Pilbara coast.
