According to Australia's Bureau of Meteorology, Sydney got 91 millimeters of rain in 90 minutes — that's about how much rain the city usually expects from the entire month of November. In other parts of the region, over 150mm had fallen by mid-afternoon.
Unless you have a boat 🚣♂️ I’d avoid Botany Road! #TrafficAlert #sydneyweather #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/ZIak3hAqNE
— Michelle Baillie (@BaillieMichelle) November 27, 2018
The storm cut power to over 10,000 customers and caused 150 flights at Kingsford Smith international airport to be canceled or delayed after the airport was forced to close two of its three runways.
Striking just before morning rush hour, the rain caused frustration and chaos along Sydney's main commuter arteries.
Canoes would be better. #sydney #weather pic.twitter.com/uXP3Oygo0o
— JT Dechaineux (@allgonenowsoz) November 27, 2018
The water got everywhere, especially into the subway and pedestrian tunnels.
IS THIS GROUNDS FOR CALLING IN SICK? ☔😜 Lewisham Station this morning. Is your commute a nightmare? Send pics to photo@dailytelegraph.com.au #SydneyStorm #SydneyWeather pic.twitter.com/8kHgZ2q053
— The Daily Telegraph (@dailytelegraph) November 27, 2018
It even got into unexpected places, like walls.
Okay but there’s actual water busting out of the damn wall of a woolies in Town Hall because of the rain we’re getting. Sydney, you’re broken go home pic.twitter.com/1eB3LPqXMD
— DrummerBoyDowoon | IG (@drummerBdowoon) November 27, 2018
At least three deaths have been reported, including a man in a car crash and a Sydney Emergency Services volunteer who collapsed while responding to one of the myriad calls that came in Wednesday. Many others have been injured in collisions, slips and falling trees.
Fast-Moving Brush Fires in Northeast
By contrast, the situation in Queensland, 900 miles to the north, is approaching dire — but from the opposite direction. Dozens of wildfires are raging there amid a scorching heat wave. Channel News Asia reported Wednesday that the Bureau of Meteorology had declared a "catastrophic" fire danger.
At least 34 schools have been closed across the region as temperatures soar to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Brian Smith, regional manager for the Rural Fire Services Central Region, told the Guardian the fires were being fanned by powerful westerly winds blowing out of the continent's dry interior, creating unpredictable conditions.
LEAVE IMMEDIATELY: Fast moving fire heading towards Mt Larcom, impacting Taylors Lane. If Sth of fire head to Gladstone Entertainment Centre. If north, head to #Rockhampton showgrounds. I’ll have the latest @WINNews_ROK 6pm pic.twitter.com/NXkhg2LuMP
— Corinne May (@CorinneEMay) November 28, 2018
Over 8,000 people have been told to leave the town of Gracemere as the brush fires close in. Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blazes, and crews from surrounding states are rushing to the region to help.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said on Wednesday morning that people not following evacuation orders were risking death by staying put, warning the fires would create "dead man zones" in which survival was impossible, even with protection like a car.
"That's basically a space that you get into where the humidity, the temperature, the fire creates its own weather cell, and it becomes an area that is almost unliveable for a short period of time," Crawford said. "It's the kind of conditions that could consume a vehicle very fast… if we get through today and we haven't had them, we will be so fortunate it isn't funny."
"This is a very stressful situation for families. I need you to all be strong. I need you to all listen. Your family and the protection of our community is vital," State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, noting residents needed to "reach out to community members who are frail, who are elderly, who have a disability."
"Please listen to authorities," she said. "It is going to get a lot worse."
