AS the summer season rears its head, a stern warning has come from the State Emergency Service and Australian Lifeguard Service to be mindful and to take precautions.
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The Mid North Coast is notorious for thunder and hail storms at this time of the year.
In the past, there have been floods, lightning storms, damaging hail stones and car accidents due to the slippery roads.
Community engagement officer for NSW SES Mid North Coast Region, Steve Lawrence, said the SES are busy doing regular maintenance checks on equipment, checking membership information and recruiting new volunteers.
“We’re preparing properties, trimming back tree branches and making sure that people can quickly secure and tie down things like outdoor furniture, trampolines and what not,” he said.
“People often underestimate the power of the wind. We want people to listen out for severe thunderstorm warnings and to follow our storm season tips on our website.”
The local SES crew have been busy supporting the Rural Fire Service recently.
Mr Lawrence said the busy time has not taken away from their strong preparations for the storm season.
People often underestimate the power of the wind. We want people to listen out for severe thunderstorm warnings and to follow our storm season tips on our website.
- Steve Lawrence
Port Macquarie’s head lifeguard, James Turnham, said when the town experiences a low pressure system a storm could set in with a big swell.
He warned only experienced surfers to enter the water in big conditions.
“We always recommend very experienced surfers if they do go out in big storms to look out for each other, take care, and for the inexperienced surfers not to take the risk,” he said.
“We hope the people who are inexperienced will be mindful, and wait until it has calmed down before going in the water.
Weatherzone meteorologist Jacob Cronje explained thunderstorms are impossible to predict, except from a few hours out from the storm.
“We know that the bulk of the precipitation over this part of the country during this time of the year will be in the form of thunderstorms and showers,” he said.
“It’s also about the type of synoptics in play. A lot of the rain that falls will be thundery, so we expect most of the rainfall over this part of the country during late spring and summer period, however there is so much that can lead to rainfall that isn’t thunderstorm related.”
If you need emergency help as a result of heavy rainfall or a storm, contact the SES on 132 500.