Damaging winds with gusts stronger than 90 kilometres an hour on Monday and Tuesday, left many local State Emergency Service volunteers on constant call. 

NSW SES Yass and Sutton units were called out to just over a dozen calls since Monday this week. These involved numerous tree jobs on roads and properties, blocking access to certain areas.

“We had a chainsaw course last week where a number of our members became chainsaw operators, which was good timing and we put this to good use,” Yass State Emergency Service controller David Mason said.

“Last week we were involved in a flood rescue near Wargeila Road. This just showed that people are still trying to pass through flood water. You put yourself and others in danger when you attempt to do things like this, if it’s flooded, forget it.” 

With this recent weather event, Yass and Sutton SES crews, alongside the Yass Valley Council, have been monitoring river levels and crossings. 

Volunteer crews have been working early mornings and late nights in the low to minus temperatures currently plaguing the Yass Valley to clear all the storm damage away, keeping the community safe and free of trees. 

“Our volunteers have been hard at work giving up their time. On Wednesday night a very large tree came down blocking access to a number of residents in Murrumbateman,” Mr Mason continued. “It took five and a half hours in the freezing cold to clear up.” 

“On the previous nights we have been at Nanima Road clearing trees. It’s very cold but we keep on moving so it isn’t too bad.”

Mr Mason warned of the dangers of driving through flood water and to be mindful of ice and snow on the road, which can cause slippery surfaces. 

“Make sure your storm gutters are free of leaves and debris, also that household trampolines are securely on the ground,” he said. 

“On Tuesday night one of my neighbours trampolines flew up and landed in our paddock three houses up, luckily it dodged all the horses and thankfully did no damage, but it just goes to show it doesn’t take much to get these things off the ground.” 

Yass Valley Council received reports of fallen trees at the Wee Jasper Road, Marked Tree Road, Stadtmillers Lane, Gums Lane, Isabel Drive, Burrinjuck Road and the broader Binalong area.

It has been the coldest Yass has seen all winter with overnight temperatures as low as minus 6 with a top of 9 degrees. The cold temperatures don’t look like they will be easing anytime soon. 

“The last time you’ve had temperatures around 7 degrees in Burrinjuck Dam is winter last year (there were 4 days below 8 degrees). The coldest day last year was 6.6 degrees on 15 July 2015, Yass was 5.5 degrees on August 10, 2008.” Senior Climatologist Agata Imielska said. 

“July is the coldest month of the year for the region, with above average rainfall likely to continue daytime temperatures are also likely to be cooler.”

Things will be warming up for the weekend. 

Friday will pull it back up to tops of 11 degrees. 

Those who were hoping for some respite from the rain will be disappointed with the seasonal forecast showing heavy rainfall through July to September. 

“It will be more wet than dry over the next few months,” she continued. 

“The reason is that the Indian Ocean has been experiencing record warm conditions, so the moisture is carried across to NSW.

“The negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event is also a climate driver, similar to the El Nino. Depending on which stage it is at, if it isn’t active it can bring in extra moisture and rainfall. With a negative IOD we tend to see above average rainfall, so waters off eastern NSW are very warm.”

Roads currently closed due to flooding are Laverstock Road, Yass Low Level and Booths Crossing on Yass River Road. Mr Mason encouraged anyone who wished to join the Yass or Sutton SES to come and visit them on a Tuesday night from 7pm. 

If you need emergency assistance please call the SES - 132 500.