X-post from Weather Watchers - Vic Storm
I took this screenshot Wednesday night (Au. time) just as the storm hit. I'm the little green circle on the mainland directly north of Tasmania. Power went off before having a chance to post it and has only just come back on again.
Keep in mind that our high and low pressure systems spin in opposite direction to the northern hemisphere. More than half of the state of Victoria was seriously affected by this storm; really big trees are down everywhere, some towns flooded badly and the water is still making it's way down to the coast.
Ironically, most mornings I walk the dogs at Wreck Beach on the coast of Bass Strait. In 1901 a ship called The Artisan was washed onto the rocks, luckily with no loss of life, in what was called a 'once-in-a-century' storm. The next day the captain, his wife and the crew of 'Manilla Men' stepped onto the rocks and walked ashore. The ship was stripped of most things of value by the locals. The anchor is still in a far out rockpool along with a couple of jury-rigged sea anchors made from old bits of machinery.
The storm and gale force Easterlies rages all of Wednesday night and much of Thursday. I couldn't help myself - the dogs and I drove to Wreck beach Thursday morning and could barely walk a few metres into the wind. I still have sand embedded in my scalp! Hopefully there will be no more storms like this on in my lifetime.
= new reply since forum marked as read
To be honest, I never thought Americans would read this group to find out Aussie news. I know a few Aussies post here and just assumed they posted to other Aussies.
This storm seemed to be out of the blue but maybe not. It's winter but there have been more than usual warm fronts attached to our pevailing weather fronts. It's scary to think this is a result of climate change. 
