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gemfyreA lot of people I know have "rain detecting joints", which have gone off multiple times over the past few weeks. But the only rain that registered was 0.2 of a mm since November.
The last few days I've been plagued by bad dreams, bad sleep and general weirdness. Maybe that's my rain detecting bodypart.
Today at lunch time I went down to Herdsman Lake as usual. The sky was coming over cloudy once again and I felt the temperature drop a few degrees while I was there. The wind started to come up.
Back at work I distractedly worked on wills. I was gazing out of the window in the office opposite us. The sky was steadily darkening and the wind was whipping up.
"That rain will be here soon." I just knew it, this time there was no doubt, the long drought was going to break.
Then it happened. It was like God was throwing rocks at us. My boss dashed downstairs to put his car undercover. My car was down the road so I hoped to God the Moreton Bay Fig I was parked underneath would protect it. I dashed downstairs anyway and was stunned. True, golf ball sized hail. The kind you hear about falling on other places.
It wasn't long before I noticed a large puddle forming in the hallway between the offices. Next door had a waterfall coming from the roof where an acoustic tile had fallen in. A little later the skylight went in our office and there was minor water damage. Various other leaks sprang up around the building.
My boss headed home to assess damage that was apparently occuring at his house and he said I could leave at 5. The second front was coming through, but no way was I going to wait it out.
The rain was heavy and wonderful. I hope my shoes aren't ruined, if I'd had my wits about me I would have removed them first. I was soaking wet by the time I got to the car, but the stuff in my bags seems to have fared okay which is what matters - I'll dry.
I decided to go west around Herdsman Lake to avoid having to cross Grantham in this weather. I'm not sure if it was a bad idea or if I would have been as bad off whichever way I went.
It took me an hour to get from work to Herdsman Fresh. It usually takes 5 minutes. I was becoming a little panicked, just wanting to get home. I had to turn the air-con on to demist the windows and I was freezing. My ankles and feet were sore from the constant slow braking and accelerating. I should be home by now. But then I realised everybody else wanted to be home too. A car in front had lost it's back windshield. My car was fine - it may have a few dents, I haven't checked yet, but all windows are intact.
Another half hour or so and the cause of the delay became apparent - a large puddle covering the street. Locals were directing traffic through it. It was smooth sailing from there, despite being directed up and over a road reserve into back streets near Jackadder Lake. The sun peeked through the clouds, the sky lightened, there was a rainbow and the lemon gums were exuding a joyous scent in the air.
Puddles were the issue. I passed through many traffic lights that had been blacked out without incident, people were extremely courteous.
Our house has had power all afternoon bar about 5 minutes. Dinner of lamb shanks was cooked. I changed into dry clothes and settled in.
Our carport is leaking, but it's not too major. We've been lucky.
The drought is broken. The earth is rejoicing even if civilisation is in chaos.
The last few days I've been plagued by bad dreams, bad sleep and general weirdness. Maybe that's my rain detecting bodypart.
Today at lunch time I went down to Herdsman Lake as usual. The sky was coming over cloudy once again and I felt the temperature drop a few degrees while I was there. The wind started to come up.
Back at work I distractedly worked on wills. I was gazing out of the window in the office opposite us. The sky was steadily darkening and the wind was whipping up.
"That rain will be here soon." I just knew it, this time there was no doubt, the long drought was going to break.
Then it happened. It was like God was throwing rocks at us. My boss dashed downstairs to put his car undercover. My car was down the road so I hoped to God the Moreton Bay Fig I was parked underneath would protect it. I dashed downstairs anyway and was stunned. True, golf ball sized hail. The kind you hear about falling on other places.
It wasn't long before I noticed a large puddle forming in the hallway between the offices. Next door had a waterfall coming from the roof where an acoustic tile had fallen in. A little later the skylight went in our office and there was minor water damage. Various other leaks sprang up around the building.
My boss headed home to assess damage that was apparently occuring at his house and he said I could leave at 5. The second front was coming through, but no way was I going to wait it out.
The rain was heavy and wonderful. I hope my shoes aren't ruined, if I'd had my wits about me I would have removed them first. I was soaking wet by the time I got to the car, but the stuff in my bags seems to have fared okay which is what matters - I'll dry.
I decided to go west around Herdsman Lake to avoid having to cross Grantham in this weather. I'm not sure if it was a bad idea or if I would have been as bad off whichever way I went.
It took me an hour to get from work to Herdsman Fresh. It usually takes 5 minutes. I was becoming a little panicked, just wanting to get home. I had to turn the air-con on to demist the windows and I was freezing. My ankles and feet were sore from the constant slow braking and accelerating. I should be home by now. But then I realised everybody else wanted to be home too. A car in front had lost it's back windshield. My car was fine - it may have a few dents, I haven't checked yet, but all windows are intact.
Another half hour or so and the cause of the delay became apparent - a large puddle covering the street. Locals were directing traffic through it. It was smooth sailing from there, despite being directed up and over a road reserve into back streets near Jackadder Lake. The sun peeked through the clouds, the sky lightened, there was a rainbow and the lemon gums were exuding a joyous scent in the air.
Puddles were the issue. I passed through many traffic lights that had been blacked out without incident, people were extremely courteous.
Our house has had power all afternoon bar about 5 minutes. Dinner of lamb shanks was cooked. I changed into dry clothes and settled in.
Our carport is leaking, but it's not too major. We've been lucky.
The drought is broken. The earth is rejoicing even if civilisation is in chaos.
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no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 12:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 12:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 01:29 pm (UTC)Did not get stuck in any gridlock but a couple of times suddenly found myself submerged just above the bumper in a "puddle". Shat myself the first time thinking I was going to stall...
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 01:34 pm (UTC)Something like this (though obvs. not knitted) yeah? Will need some stuffing but I think I can do that. Might even have some stuffing somewhere, I'll have to check. Or would you prefer them unstuffed and floppy?
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 02:29 pm (UTC)Don't worry about them too much, I think I'll consult a few of the costuming peeps at Swancon for advice on how best to make and attach them.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 02:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 01:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 01:46 pm (UTC)I didn't know storms were so intense in Australia. o_o
-§parky
no subject
Date: 2010-03-23 07:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-23 03:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-23 10:15 am (UTC)I love this weather. But I have friends / family with damaged homes and cars and the aftermath is less fun.
The storm itself though. Wow. I mean, awesome in every sense of the word.