Batten down the hatches

[viewmont1071]

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR281.loop.shtml#skip

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN65156.shtml

For people in the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter, North West Slopes and Plains, Northern Tablelands and parts of the Central Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:44 pm Tuesday, 29 October 2013.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree, Newcastle, Gosford, Armidale, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Moree and Narrabri.

A 106 km/h gust was recorded at Murrurundi Gap at 11:30am.

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.
* 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.

The next warning is due to be issued by 3:45 pm.

If severe thunderstorms develop in Sydney Newcastle Wollongong or surrounding areas, a more detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued to people in this area.

[crystal**flake]

I just went outside to take some rust pics and I nearly got blown away.

[viewmont1071]

[freddie*rooster]

God's playing marbles here, he tossed a bucket of water out the pearly gates and that's about it.

[**meep**]

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@crystal**flake wrote:

I just went outside to take some rust pics and I nearly got blown away.

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Same here. 

[cq_tech]

Thanks for the heads-up, Dave. I've just checked the BOM and at 1220 EST (1320 DST) it appeared that Coffs and Kempsey had already copped the brunt of the storm fronts (presumably Macksville and Bowraville have already been hit as well) and as I look out to the west (I'm south of Brisbane) I can see a massive storm front which according to the radar should hit here within the next 15-20 minutes.

Time to hurriedly pick up some loose stuff and close a few windows. Stay safe everybody.

[freshwater-2]

Same here too Freddie.   But what a downpour.

I was 15 mins south of you on the LW trying to get my convertible top up, with two wee dogs cowering under the seat.

It was a hoot.

I can still hear the thunder out there somewhere.

It was great getting all that rain.

[azureline**]

It is slowly building up here..........I am contemplating making a visit to the nursing home and waiting it out there............ except the dog will be scared by himself.

[cat_mioux]

Stay safe Queenslanders!

[freddie*rooster]

Freshi, we only got the rumble and shared the bucket of water with the entire town, wasn't even enough to wet the driveway.