Sydney, Australia has received torrential downpour, helping to extinguish two massive bush fires in New South Wales. This is the heaviest rainfall Sydney has received in over 30 years. The rain has also caused widespread flooding.
Over four days, Sydney received 391.6 mm of rain, according to Australia’s weather agency. Flash flood warnings have been put out to the public and according to BBC, around 100,000 homes have no power.
Look we got water views now, so I assume that puts us up in the millionaire’s club. I’ll be off to pick up our family yacht club membership tomorrow. #sydneyweather #sydneyrain pic.twitter.com/bV37rseJpf
— Bec Haddad (@BecHaddad) February 9, 2020
New South Wales Rural Fire Services (NSW RFS) said in a Tweet that, ‘The recent rainfall has assisted firefighters to put over 30 fires out since Friday. Some of these blazes have been burning for weeks and even months.’
According to NSW RFS, the rain has helped diminish fires across New South Wales, however 26 bush and grass fires are still burning and 4 fires are yet to be contained.
Rain has significantly assisted reducing the fire activity across areas of NSW. It is a welcome relief for communities and firefighters alike. 26 bush and grass fires are still burning across the state with 4 not yet contained (Snowy Valley and Monaro areas). #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/w3aUaPsuZw
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 10, 2020
This is the most positive news we’ve had in some time.
The recent rainfall has assisted firefighters to put over 30 fires out since Friday. Some of these blazes have been burning for weeks and even months.#NSWRFS #NSWFires pic.twitter.com/fNyuSE6nAx
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 10, 2020
Isn’t this rain glorious? Even our four legged friends are braving the weather, albeit rather timidly ☔️ #sydneyrain
📷: Hannah Johansson pic.twitter.com/YlRoPJe7TZ
— Chelsea Hetherington (@chelsea_hetho) February 7, 2020
According to WaterNSW, the Warragamba Dam, which feeds most of Sydney’s water system, is nearly at the 70% full mark. According to CNN, last week the dam was sitting at 42% full. After years of drought, the rainfall is a much-needed relief.
Image: Twitter/Hannah Johansson