A severe thunderstorm tore across the Far South Coast late Saturday night, January 30, with an accompanying lightning show many say was “spectacular” and “like nothing they’ve seen before”.
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Constant flashes of lightning kept residents awake into the early hours of Sunday morning, with lashings of rain causing flooding in homes and backyards.
Around 2am Sunday the aged care facility Bupa Eden was evacuated due to flooding, with emergency services including Fire & Rescue NSW, SES, NSW Ambulance and police quickly on hand to move the 85 residents to nearby facilities including the high school.
According to the Bureau of Meterology rainfall map, in the 24 hours to 9am Sunday, Bega copped 151mm of rain, Kanoona 127, Angledale 105, Merimbula 104 and 101 at Lochiel.
To top off the wild night, a 3.5 magnitude earthquake hit Adaminaby in the Snowy Mountains around 4.40am, but with Bega Valley residents reporting they felt the low rumbling even here.
As of 10am, Buckajo Road, East Street Bega, Bridge Street Bega and Poplar Avenue Bega were all closed due to flooding, with updates as they come to hand.
By 2pm Buckajo Road had reopened.
Do you have photos or videos of the wild weather to share? Email ben.smyth@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Batemans Bay lightning: