“Stormin” Norman Tobin has been measuring rain from his home in Metford for 23 years and was pretty shocked when his trusty rain gauge recorded a whopping 208 millimetres overnight on Tuesday.
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The avid orchid and vegetable grower (pictured right) has to keep an eye on the moisture with prize winning plants adorning his Bottlebrush Close backyard.
He said in the 24-hours from Monday to Tuesday, 65mm of rain fell but overnight on Tuesday the gauge was three quarters full with 208mm recorded.
Mr Tobin and wife Pam ventured out for two-and-a-half hours Wednesday morning and checked the gauge on their return to find another 16mm had fallen.
“We had a lot more in April during the big storm but this is also coming pretty close to it,” Mr Tobin said. “It’s pretty soggy here but I think the orchids will survive.
“They certainly don’t want any more water, but and as far as the veggies are concerned my silver beet and rhubarb are absolutely loving it.”
Ambos urge drivers to take care
The NSW Ambulance Service is urging motorists to take extra care on the road as wet conditions continue.
Service delivery executive director Jamie Vernon said paramedics were on high alert in the Hunter on Wednesday, as high-speed winds and heavy rain swept through the region.
He said two special operations teams had been put on standby at Raymond Terrace, which was one of the places that experienced the worst effects of the weather event.
“NSW Ambulance remains alert to notifications from the State Emergency Service and NSW Police in regard to river levels, road closures and alternate routes,” Mr Vernon said.
“We would like to remind motorists not to attempt to drive through flooded roads and across flooding rivers.
“We also strongly advise people in affected areas to be aware of any State Emergency Service warnings, to listen and obey any SES or NSW Police instructions.”
Paramedics attended about 100 vehicle-related incidents across the state between 12.01am on Tuesday and 10am on Wednesday.
“Wet weather can result in reduced visibility, slippery road surfaces and flooding, all of which create hazardous driving conditions,” Mr Vernon said.
“For your own safety and that of others, drivers need to adjust their driving behaviour to suit the conditions.”
