Australia: Drought, Deluge and More Fire

Summer 2010 set to be one of the worst for Australian bushfire

Fires consume Western Australia, as floodwaters drown parts of the east coast

Australian weather bureau has for the first time issued a ‘catastrophic’ fire danger alert, the highest rating on their warning system.

Nearly 40 homes have been destroyed. (Credit: Greg Winning/ ABC online reader).

Temperatures as high as 42 degrees (ºC) in western Australia coupled with strong winds are fanning two major fires, which were sparked by fallen power lines Tuesday afternoon local time,that have so far consumed

• At least 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres) of farm and bushland
• About 40 homes were destroyed in Toodyay, about 80 km (50 miles) NE of Perth
• Many livestock

Flood Warnings Issued for the East Coast of Australia

Meanwhile, heavy downpours of up to 300 millimeters are expected in the north-west, north-east and mid north coastal regions of the country, as warnings for flash flooding are issued throughout the region.

Parts of the central NSW are submerged under an estimated 100 billion gallons of floodwater.

A warning for flash flooding includes Port Macquarie, Taree, Armidale and Tenterfield. (ABC TV). Image may be subject to copyright.

Source: Commonwealth of Australia 2009, Bureau of Meteorology. Image may be subject to copyright.

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