BREAKING: Two tornadoes have been confirmed in the NSW Riverina region, wreaking havoc as severe storms swept through the area on September 10. The Bureau of Meteorology reports that one tornado touched down north-west of Young, while another struck near Caragabal, located between West Wyalong and Grenfell. Dramatic images and videos of both twisters have emerged, showing the intense power of the storms.
The tornado at Caragabal was captured on social media, where footage reveals it tearing through paddocks, shredding trees, and destroying a shed. A NSW Rural Fire Service fire tower camera in Tubbul recorded the funnel cloud vividly twisting down above golden canola fields. Meteorologist Joel Pippard noted the tornado was identifiable on weather radar, indicating a tornadic supercell formation.
“The heaviest areas of rain just west of Young formed a hook shape, a clear sign of tornado activity,” Pippard stated. The tornado exhibited characteristics of a rope tornado, which are typically slender and short-lived. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued around 3:50 PM, later upgraded to include a tornado alert. This alert was downgraded just after 4:30 PM, but rain and storms persisted across the region.
The severe weather outbreak is linked to a low-pressure system that has moved over NSW, combining with significant atmospheric moisture and instability. Rainfall totals were staggering: 33.2 mm was recorded at Wagga Wagga Airport, marking the wettest day since February and the wettest September day since 2016. Nearby, Kapooka saw 61 mm, the highest 24-hour total since January 2024. Other locations reported substantial rainfall, including West Wyalong with 38.4 mm and Narrandera with 37.2 mm.
The NSW State Emergency Service has responded to an overwhelming 854 calls for assistance in the 24 hours leading to 5 AM on Thursday, with many requests originating from the Sydney area. Emergency volunteers tackled significant challenges, completing 26 jobs in both the southern and western zones.
As rain continues to fall across large parts of the Riverina, residents are urged to stay alert and follow safety guidelines. The impact of these tornadoes and the accompanying severe weather is far-reaching, affecting local communities and infrastructure.
Stay tuned for updates as this weather situation develops.
