EMERGENCY services workers were on full alert last night for a major flood through Inverell’s CBD.

Late yesterday the Macintyre River threatend to burst its banks after three days of storms dumped more than 95mm on Inverell and up to 143mm at Delungra up until noon.

Further rain predicted for last night had the potential to send the river into the main streets, State Emergency Services flood forecaster David Jones said. The river had already crossed the O’Connor St bridge on Sunday night but at press time last night only nuisance flooding had occurred.

David said any further quick falls of 25mm to 50mm upstream from Inverell could be too much for the river banks to hold.

Late yesterday the bureau of meteorology had issued a storm warning.

Meanwhile, Bundarra suffered its biggest storm since New Years Day 1971 on Saturday. Six houses suffered roof damage, trees were uprooted and debris scattered for hundreds of metres. Uralla Shire SES controller Mark Fox said the storm with high winds, hail and rain hit about 4pm.

“The main area hit was from Tomline St to the Torryburn turnoff,’’ Mark said.

One house in Bendemeer St nearly lost all its roof while another had its chimney and TV antenna ripped off during the downpour.

“The hail wasn’t that big (20mm) but there was enough,’’ Mark said.

Mark said the clean-up process was in full swing with council working in the streets yesterday.

Today they will focus on cleaning up the residential area.

n Rainfall figures, forecast Page 2

© 2001 Inverell Times

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