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Sydney hit by worst November storm since 1984, more than a month’s worth of rain in 90 minutes

sydney-storm-november-28-2018

Two people were killed and several injured after a major storm hit Sydney, Australia on November 28, 2018. The storm dumped more rain in just several hours than the region records during the entire month of November.

Observatory Hill recorded 125 mm (4.9 inches) of rain, 41 mm (1.6 inches) more than the entire November average for the station.

BOM's NSW manager Ann Farrell said it was the wettest daily total the site has recorded since 1984.

"According to our estimates, for that intensity and that duration, that’s the sort of rainfall you’d expect to occur about once every 100 years for that particular site," she said.

Porters Crk near Ulladulla recorded 152 mm (5.98 inches) of rain, making it the state's highest 24 hours total.

Mosman recorded 136 mm (5.35 inches), Macquarie Pass 122 mm (4.80 inches), Sydney CBD 120 mm (4.72 inches), Chatswood 106 mm (4.17 inches) and Abbotsford in the inner west 97 mm (3.81 inches).

On average, Sydney CBD records 67 mm (2.63 inches) of rain during the entire month of November.

The rain was accompanied by 90 km/h (56 mph) winds, downing trees and contributing to commuter chaos. Gusts of 74 km/h (45.9 mph) have been recorded on Sydney Harbour and in Wollongong. Maitland registered gusts to 95 km/h (59 mph).

Flooded tracks, roads and underpasses, as well as fallen trees, have led to the closure of a number of stations on Sydney’s north shore, NEWS.com.au reports.

According to police reports, 47 road accidents happened during this afternoon's peak rain period. Nine people were transported to hospital between 06:00 and 12:00 LT, and one person died after a two-vehicle crash in Thornleigh.

A State Emergency Service volunteer also died today after collapsing in Sydney while on duty.

Two police officers were seriously injured when a tree fell on their car further south at North Ryde.

"We've had storm events before in New South Wales, we've had storm events in Sydney before, but not this widespread and not over this continuing period of time," said assistant commissioner Michael Corboy.

Featured image credit: NSW Police Force

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