Many New England residents and visitors have had their fascination for snow well and truly satisfied after the major dumping of the elusive white flakes which smothered much of the New England a little over a week ago.
Snow fell in many areas not used to seeing such conditions, including Walcha, Uralla, Armidale, Guyra, Ebor, Glen Innes and the Moonbi Ranges. Official reports measured up to 50cm of snow settling on the ground, while personal accounts suggested as much as 60+cm.
With numerous forecasts of widespread snow to fall across the region, sightseers flocked to towns such as Guyra and Uralla to catch a glimpse, or maybe even build a snowman or engage in snowball warfare. People readily shared their frivolities across social media, including skiing and snowboarding in Guyra, Kelly’s Plains residents in a ‘jocks’ run, online snowman competitions and picture postcard views of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Cancellations, closures and rescues
However, the initial excitement quickly turned to an overwhelming ordeal as the snow continued to fall throughout the day and well into the night. Multiple events were cancelled and businesses closed.
Organisers of Uralla’s major draw card, the High Country Markets, which regularly bring 1500 visitors to Uralla on market weekends, made an early decision to cancel the August market, which was scheduled for that weekend.
“We needed to ensure the safety of our stallholders and visitors,” said Uralla Shire Business Chamber committee member, David Mailler.
“We didn’t want people travelling unnecessarily in the predicted conditions, let alone the unpredictable conditions that we received. It was a matter of safety for everyone, and it was important to make an early call.”
The incessant and increasing flurries caused many residents and visitors to become stranded, with road conditions becoming dangerous and impassable by mid-afternoon. The New England Highway was closed in several locations, between Armidale and Moonbi and Armidale and Glencoe, with Armidale to Ebor and Walcha to Bendemeer also closed due to snow and ice.
In what became an 8-hour operation, Armidale and Dorrigo SES Units and Armidale Regional Council crews responded to clear 80 vehicles stranded in the icy conditions between Armidale and Ebor. Crews also backed up in the following days, responding to hundreds of calls for assistance across the area in a massive interagency effort with local RFS brigades, local Council crews and SES units.
Vehicles were also stranded on the Devil’s Pinch between Armidale and Guyra, as well as the Moonbi range, where a social media video has emerged of a V8 Nissan Patrol 4WD assisting a semi-trailer to the summit.
Widespread power outages resulting from falling trees and branches caused further problems across the region. At the peak, around 6,500 properties were without power, without lights, heating, refrigeration or mobile reception.
Schools in the affected areas were non-operational due to power outages and to allow crews to assess any damage and safety issues.
On Monday, 4th August, Telstra reported that NBN services, fixed line services, ADSL services and 4G and 5G services had been affected due to AC mains power loss, with 18 community isolations including Boorolong, Ebor, Guyra, Hillgrove, Nowendoc, Retreat, Rocky River, Walcha Road, Wandsworth, Wollomombi and Yarrowitch.
Telstra advised that technicians and generators were being deployed. By Tuesday, Essential Energy had most power restored, and Telstra reported that there were no longer any communities in isolation.
Several more inaccessible areas, including parts of Rocky River and the edge of Walcha, were without power for over 5 days.
Community spirit rises
In a whole-of-community show of support, Uralla Shire Council, local businesses and residents provided safe refuge from the bitter conditions by graciously opening their doors for stranded visitors.
To avoid showing preferential treatment of individuals, Uralla Shire Council responded to questions with a humbling statement:
“During the initial phase of the storm, Council’s top priority was the safety of residents and visitors across the Shire. Our teams responded to numerous urgent calls for help, including delivering generators and fuel to local venues so they could provide safe refuge for stranded individuals.”
One crew even made a late-night dash to Walcha Hospital to deliver fuel and ensure operations could continue through the night. From first light, crews were out across the region clearing snow, cutting and removing fallen trees, and pulling stranded vehicles to safety.
“Council staff also worked alongside Essential Energy to remove debris and assist in restoring electricity to affected areas,” a spokesperson for Uralla Shire Council said.
“Our community services teams immediately began conducting welfare checks across the Shire and beyond, organising in-home support for vulnerable residents without power to ensure access to food, warmth, and essential care.”
“Staff also contacted family members outside the area to reassure them about loved ones they had been unable to reach due to communication outages.”
Cost and clean up helped by disaster declaration
While most roads are now passable, various council crews around the region continue to work on rural routes and are prioritising hazardous pothole repairs and other storm damage.
The actual cost of the snow event will not be known for several weeks, as businesses and individuals assess infrastructure damage and food wastage, as well as the cost of cleaning up, removing and processing damaged items and waste.
“We will be a couple of months cleaning up” said UralaShire Council Director of Infrastructure and Development, Mick Raby.
Friday’s announcement of State and Federal Government Natural Disaster support has been a welcome relief for local Councils, businesses and individuals. This provides access to low income individuals for payments to cover immediate hardship such as having to replace all the food in the fridge, concessional loans and subsidies for businesses and organisations, and unlocks much needed funding for councils and emergency response organisations to respond and undertake immediate repairs.
The declaration means support is immediately available for those affected by either snow or flooding in Gunnedah, Narrabri, Tamworth, Uralla and Walcha. (Armidale Regional Council area was not included in the initial disaster declaration as ARC had not submitted the required paperwork.) More information about the support you may be entitled to access is available here.
Something going on in your part of the New England people should know about? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@netimes.com.au