"Widespread chaos from storms": - Article from: Mercury

MERYL NAIDOO
February 17, 2007 12:00am

DRAMATIC weather swept across south-eastern Tasmania yesterday causing chaos.Hailstones, some as big as golf balls, fell in the tropical-style thunderstorms, covering houses, gardens and roads.

Flash flooding trapped motorists, flooded homes and caused traffic snarls.The weather bureau warned similar conditions were expected today. Houses were flooded at Bellerive on Hobart's Eastern Shore after a fierce storm moved across the city about 7pm.

Police reported people walking knee-deep in water around Alexandra Esplanade and South St in Bellerive and Clarence City Council workers battled to unblock stormwater drains.

Police said the severe weather caused flooding, fires were caused by lightning and there were minor traffic accidents over a wide area between Bothwell and Huonville. And a fire ripped through the Salvation Army hall at Huonville when it was hit by lightning. Aurora reported power blackouts at Woodbridge, Hamilton, Ouse and Bothwell.

Aurora spokeswoman Barbara McGregor said a car hit a power pole in Main Rd, Granton, causing 1100 homes to lose power in Glenorchy and Moonah.They were without power for about an hour. Ms McGregor said the threat of lightning strikes meant repair crews had to wait for storms to pass."Crews have had to turn back from Woodbridge and Huonville, it's way to dangerous," she said.

Several work crews worked through the night to restore power to affected areas.Roads were closed by flooding in several areas, which disrupted traffic. Main Rd at Austins Ferry was closed, with Aurora replacing a power pole which was struck by a motor vehicle.

Tasmania Police sergeant Pat Lee said many people called for help soon after 7pm. The weather bureau expected the thunder to ease overnight.

Forecaster Lance Cowled said the rain had been widespread and varied.Bothwell had the heaviest falls, of 60mm in two hours, with 15 to 20mm in the Huon Valley, 34mm at Grove, 19mm on Mt Wellington, 17mm at Judbury and 7mm in Hobart.

The temperature yesterday reached 33.6C in Hobart at 3pm.Bushy Park and Scotts Peak were the hottest, with maximums of 35C. The bureau has forecast a mixed bag today again, with showers and a thunderstorm forecast -- but not before the mercury hits 29C. Mr Cowled said today would be fine apart from the chance of a thundery shower or two during the late afternoon or evening.