Williamtown Closed Due Flooding
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Williamtown Closed Due Flooding
Good thing we won’t be invaded this week, with RAAF Williamtown closed due to flooding.
Hopefully the F35’s are waterproof.
Hopefully the F35’s are waterproof.
Same happened in 1974 in Brisbane, with Amberley under water, they caught a 30cm fish at the base of the tower. Only aircraft working, as usual, were the choppers doing flood relief. The F-111 and Canberras up to their bellies in water in some places. The GCA hut, being on wheels out in the middle of the field, filled up with snakes and spiders trying to stay dry.
I'm pretty sure that it remained open throughout the 1990 flood. I'm not sure how it fared in the '78 flood - I think that was the last 'once in a century' flood they've experienced in the last 50 years.
Last edited by MickG0105; 22nd Mar 2021 at 03:10. Reason: Typo
When I was doing flood relief around Richmond and the Colo River in the early 80s, the only really dry place was the RAAF Base. I was desperately low on fuel and requested a clearance in to pick some up and drop off a police dog handler with his dog.
The lady in the tower asked my POB, and I replied "3 POB and one Dee-Oh-Gee." She asked me to repeat, and then she got it. I crossed the airfield boundary and plopped on the first available taxiway. She asked me to continue to Air Movements, but I stayed put and asked for the fuel truck.
The lady in the tower asked my POB, and I replied "3 POB and one Dee-Oh-Gee." She asked me to repeat, and then she got it. I crossed the airfield boundary and plopped on the first available taxiway. She asked me to continue to Air Movements, but I stayed put and asked for the fuel truck.
Time to re-instate that 'Black Cat' from HARS.......Not too far away.......?
Or, even the one at the QANTAS Museum....?
Back to 43 Squadron ex Rathmines, and place it at Williamtown......?
Or, even the one at the QANTAS Museum....?
Back to 43 Squadron ex Rathmines, and place it at Williamtown......?
"Rising Sea Levels"...I'll believe that when I see the Fort Denison ('Pinchgut' - SY Harbour) Round Tower 'apparently sinking' as the Sea Level RISES......
Like the oyster grower on the South Coast (NSW) said, "For 70 years these Oyster Leases have been at the optimal level for maximum growth....and I have NOT had to adjust them".
Like the oyster grower on the South Coast (NSW) said, "For 70 years these Oyster Leases have been at the optimal level for maximum growth....and I have NOT had to adjust them".
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I can confirm the story in post #4. I was on night shift in the tower the night the water rose and had to swim from the first floor balcony to BS HQ the next day..
Did you know that after the war the Yanks... some of the post flood stories are best left for another time.
MJG
Did you know that after the war the Yanks... some of the post flood stories are best left for another time.
MJG
Last edited by mgahan; 22nd Mar 2021 at 08:50.
Not the first time Willytown has closed due flooding. I recall it closed during the floods of Feb 1990. Water pressure under the runway was causing it to ‘bubble’ up. Personnel were tasked with skewering the bubbles with star pickets to release the pressure and minimise damage to the runway.
I'm not too sure IF we will ever see Mt Druit 'snowbound'......But.....Ya never never know....Like...Dr Tim Flannery said 'It ain't gunna rain NO MORE', so the NSW Gummint built a 'desal' plant at a cost of 'squillions'....
To build and maintain....
Anyhow, from Google Earth, the elevation of the Badgerys Creek site (To the SE of Luddenham) seems to be in the order of 200ft - 300ft...depending just WHERE the rwys are going to be....Well above the 'raging Hawkesbury' i would think.
To build and maintain....
Anyhow, from Google Earth, the elevation of the Badgerys Creek site (To the SE of Luddenham) seems to be in the order of 200ft - 300ft...depending just WHERE the rwys are going to be....Well above the 'raging Hawkesbury' i would think.