What Happened? What Areas Were Impacted?

Powerful storms killed nine people in Eastern Australia between 7 June and 10 June during theQueen’s Birthday weekend, as strong winds and heavy rain associated with a low-pressure systembattered parts of Sydney, the Hunter Region and the Central Coast in New South Wales (NSW).The region was hit by an East Coast Low (ECL), which developed off the state’s coast on 7 June.Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said that the low-pressure system intensified as it movedinto atmospheric conditions favourable for its formation south along the New South Wales coastand that it was the worst to affect the state since 1998. The BoM issued severe weather warningsfor the region as winds reached 125 kmph (80 mph), downing trees and power lines. The heavyrain also caused widespread flooding as rivers in the wine-growing Hunter Valley exceeded theirflood levels while unprecedented flashflooding hit the city of Newcastle (33°S 151°E). The Hunter Valley was hardest hit in terms of flood damage, and floodwaters in the NewcastleCentral Business District (CBD) and Cottage Creek, in particular, reached unprecedented levels.The Hunter River reached its highest level in more than 25 years while the Williams andPaterson rivers exceeded their flood levels. Flood warnings were also issued for the Myall River atBulahdelah and Tuggerah Lake.