The wild weather ravaging south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales has brought chaos to the travel plans of countless grey nomads.
For many, it’s been a case of hunkering down and riding out the storm. While travel is never advisable in wild winds and lashing rain, the closure of many major roads have meant that ‘moving on’ is not even an option.
At various points of the storm, all roads between Queensland and New South Wales were cut. Floods and landslips meant major routes such as the Bruce Highway, Pacific Highway, the Summerland Way and the Gwydir Highway were unpassable in parts.
As ex-tropical cyclone Oswald moves south, New South Wales police are urging motorists to reconsider travel plans and to delay their trips where possible. It says heavy rain, strong winds and reduced visibility are causing crashes and lengthy delays.
Police say any motorist towing a caravan or trailer needs to slow down and exercise extreme caution and, crucially, they say all motorists are strongly advised not to drive into floodwaters.
While the wild weather has caused some inconvenience to many grey nomads and even a little discomfort, their ‘problems’ are put into perspective by the suffering of thousands upon thousands of others who have seen their homes or businesses inundated with floodwater.
So far, four people are so far known to have lost their lives as a result of the extreme weather. Hopefully, the worst is now over.
How have you been affected by the wild weather on the east coast? Comment below.
