BATHURST’S Party in the Park is still on at this stage as dark clouds gather over the city.
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The Bureau of Meteorology has this afternoon issued a thunderstorm warning for much of the state, including Bathurst, Orange and a wide area of the Central West.
The timing could not be worse for organisers of the Party in the Park, with thousands of dollars worth of fireworks due to be ignited at 9pm.
A council spokesperson remained hopeful the event would go ahead, with only very heavy rain, hail or lightning likely to see it abandoned.
Council will continue liaising with the fireworks operators throughout the evening.
Meanwhile, the bureau’s warning, issued at 5pm, says severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours in the Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina, Lower Western and parts of the Central Tablelands, Upper Western and Snowy Mountains districts.
“Locations which may be affected include Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo, Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Deniliquin, Griffith, Hay, Cobar, Menindee and Balranald,” the warning states.
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The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- Move your car under cover or away from trees.
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
- Keep at least eight metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
- Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid on 131 388, or Endeavour Energy on 131 003 or Essential Energy on 132 080, as shown on your power bill.
- Unplug computers and appliances.
- Avoid using the phone during the storm.
- Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
