Possum Valley Microburst Storm on the News

Interview with Mark on Channel 10 Perth News

 

 

 

Microburst Storm Hits Possum Valley

 

Wednesday the 19th of February started out cool but humid, as many days had done in the past week. The forecast noted the chance of storms in the east, possibly severe, which caught our attention. Come the afternoon, only a few small storms were noted on the radar, nothing too worrying. 

Shortly before 6pm, however, we received notice from a friend that a significant storm cell was forming nearby. Only Mark made it home from work in time, having minutes to move some marquees and secure cover for Boots and Judy sheep, then the storm hit. 

 

With winds reaching over 100km, heavy rain and thunder, the storm was over as soon as it began, but what havoc it had caused! The storm was certainly worse than the one we experienced last summer, and the Sanctuary sustained significant damage. Fences were down, tanks smashed, shelters destroyed and power out, but fortunately all the animals were ok! 

A huge thanks to our voli’s who swung into action tonight at short notice to herd goats, clear fence lines, check water troughs and make sure all the animals were ok.

The media covering the story of the storm at the Sanctuary.

 

 

Dumping some of the many branches that fell during the storm.

Thank you to all the kind hearts who came to the busy bees following the storm – we appreciate everyone’s efforts to get the show back on the branch covered road!

Summer Storm Hits the Valley

Nicholas helping with the clean up.

While we were hoping for a weather change during one of our longest, hottest summers, it seems the weather gods took the memo a little too literally, sending us the most intense storm we’ve ever encountered in the Valley.

The morning of the 16th of January was hot and still, and we were busily watering aviaries and topping up water tubs in readiness for another scorcher. Come mid-morning, however, a cloud front to the north was noted, and an unusual north east wind picked up. A quick message to our weather guru volunteer Ryan confirmed that a worrying storm front was building north of Perth, and making its way towards the Sanctuary.

Over 40C before 10 am.

Reports of lightening starting fires were noted on social media, and soon the Valley began to get dark. Chris was at home solo, so began running the sprinklers in readiness for dry lightning, followed by dropping animal marquees which could be damaged in wind. 

Time for storm preparations was limited, however, as in a blink, the wind, thunder and sideways rain arrived. 

Lightening forks could be seen hitting the ground, but the noise of the thunder was drowned out by the gale forced winds. Tree canopy began to fall and it was difficult to see where the animals were for debris and hail. 

The storm was brutal but short lived, and within ten minutes the rain stopped. 

We dashed down to the lamb house, the area which seemed the worst hit. Luckily the babies were shaken but safe, and Nougat the goat was already enjoying the leafy snacks the heavens had provided. 

Running up to the top paddocks, we noticed the damage was much worse than we first thought. 

Nicholas ram had lost his shelter, and he could hardly move for tree material, but thankfully, he was ok. 

Digby’s flock had lost an entire shelter. Their patio area was damaged, and fences everywhere were broken or weighed down by branches – but the flock were all alive and well. We still don’t know how, but all the animals had managed to get through the tree fall uninjured. 

Nicholas surveying the damage.

Within an hour of the storm, some of our incredible volunteer crew were onsite helping triage the cleanup to ensure the animals were comfortable overnight. It was hot and humid, and the sound of chainsaws filled the air as we began clearing the roadways and checking water troughs were intact and full. 

Two busy bees and many weekends later, the clean up is almost complete, but the skyline at the Valley will never be the same following the massive storm that day. 

Thank you to the incredible team who helped clean, chainsaw and repair fences, and all our supporters who donated to assist with shelter rebuilds. This was such an incredible response from the PVAS community following a very worrying event.