22nd December 2002 - Severe Storm Tamworth
A severe storm struck Tamworth just before midnight on the 22nd December bringing strong gusty winds, lightning and rain. The SES was called out to secure a carport in East Tamworth and a Garden Shed in Calala Lane. Wind gusts of up to 45 knots were experienced at Tamworth Airport.
I observed the storm from the Carter Street Sporting Fields to begin with, but found conditions difficult for photography as the tripod kept blowing over. Lightning was observed to the East, South and West of Tamworth with extraordinary stroke frequency and some impressive sky crawlers. After about 15 minutes I drove to the top of Piper Street near the Botanic Gardens but found that most of the spectacular lightning was obscured by trees so proceeded to Manilla Road were I found a good observation point to view the storm as it moved across the Peel Valley. After another 15 minutes (1am) heavy rain set in, making it difficult to see, so I headed for home.
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At Guyra torrential rain and hail hit the town for more than an hour, dumping over 70mm of rain. The volume of hail caused roof gutters to overflow and gush into several homes and the local supermarket. Water damage to stock at the Supermarket was expected to exceed $50,000.
Vision on the local television news showed extensive hail drifts still in place the next morning, a dam was filled with hail to the depth of around 150cm, washed into it from surrounding water courses.