“Perfect storm” lashes Western Australia by Steph Ball
In October 2006, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology forecast that the growing El Nino would bring a less active storm season for the northwest of Australia, with the first storm not expected until January 2007.
This forecast may have appeared bang on target as a weak tropical depression developing to the south of Indonesia was upgraded and named as Tropical Cyclone Isobel early on Tuesday.
Isobel, the first cyclone of the season, was forecast to cross Northwest Australia on Wednesday bringing heavy rains and gales, with winds gusting over 100km/h (60mph). The storm was not expected to cause any major damage here but to later combine with another system across Southwest Australia to produce the “perfect storm”, a “one-in-a-generation storm”.
Northwest Australia braced itself for the oncoming cyclone, with cargo ships moving offshore to drop anchor and brave out the storm. Major oil and gas producers also shut down their operations.
Isobel came onshore yesterday on Eighty Mile Beach, northeast of Hedland. There were few reports of damage though as the cyclone crossed the northwest, quickly weakening. However, with the stronger storm forecast for the south of Western Australia, the emergency services and the Defence Force were put on alert.
The massive storm began its sweep across the south of Western Australia, early on Thursday, with gale force winds forecast and rainfall accumulations of 100 to 150mm ( 3.94-5.91 inches). Emergency services were called upon to help with severe flooding in the coastal town of Esperance which appears to be bearing the brunt of what is being called the worst summer storm in almost 30 years.
Since 9am AWDT ( Australian Western Daylight Time) this morning, Esperance is said to have reported 135mm with much of this falling in a short space of time; and with winds gusting up to 72km/h (45mph). This has left large parts of the town submerged. The weather system has also poured more than 135mm ( 5.31 inches ) of rain onto drought-stricken regions like Balladonia over the last 24hrs.
This rain should be welcomed in areas which have been suffering from severe drought; however there is concern for farmers. Warnings have been issued for the possibility of severe flooding and significant losses of livestock, with the combination of rain and wind bringing a risk of hypothermia.
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