With images of the devastating April super storm still fresh in their minds, Hunter farmers did not waste any time preparing for the latest east coast low.
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Most landholders north of Maitland put their flood plan to the test on Tuesday morning and started moving stock and equipment from low-lying areas.
Others around Hinton, Nelsons Plains and Millers Forest evacuated stock on Wednesday morning and were left to brace for the full impact on their properties as floodwater moved downstream.
These areas were on high alert on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Hunter Local Land Service senior biosecurity officer Luke Booth said landholders were experiencing a sense of déjà vu just nine months after they endured a super storm that caused $120 million worth of damage to the Hunter’s agriculture industry.
But this time farmers had more time to prepare and had the advantage of a good season behind them, he said.
Stock and infrastructure losses across the region are not yet known, but Mr Booth does not expect too much damage.
“This feels like a normal flood event and if there has to be a time for it, this is a good time because it’s a different season,” he said.
“Before this happened there was so much hay and silage being made it was like it was going out of fashion.
“The ground will be soggy, but there is feed for the stock and it will dry out.”
Hunter vignerons despair
by DONNA SHARPE
The latest big wet has Hunter vignerons on tenterhooks with this year’s harvest expected to face a major set back.
Agnew Wines chief winemaker Jeff Byrne said harvest was scheduled for later in the month but faced a setback with heavy rain and hail a few weeks ago.
“We were looking to start harvest on Australia Day due to the last lot of rain but this week’s conditions has pushed things back further again,” Mr Byrne said.
“We’ve had 200mm recorded with this front, so needless to say we’re a bit on edge with the condition of the fruit.”
“I predict by Monday we may see some splitting in grapes due to the large intake of water, but I’m trying to be optimistic with warmer, sunny weather forecast to follow this rain.
“Fingers crossed,” Mr Byrne said.
The Hunter’s 2016 vintage was tipped to equal, if not better, the blockbuster vintage from 2014 if warm fine weather continued through to the January harvest.
Hail in November did little damage to the fruit and vignerons were praying for hot and fine conditions, not the deluge the region has received during the past 48 hours.
