Rains make record book

Wandering received more than 130mm of rain in 24 hours last Thursday, breaking the June daily record.

In comparison, Narrogin and Williams received less than 40mm, and Katanning had a fraction more than 5mm.

Since Bureau of Meteorology records began in 1887, Wandering has only had five days of rainfall with more than 100mm, and two of those days have been this year.

The first day of more than 100mm rain was in 1934, and the towns’ biggest 24-hour rainfall of 137.9mm came in 1955. The next day came in 1982, and just four months ago Wandering recorded 107.6mm in 24 hours. The official total for last week’s rainfall was 130.8mm, Wandering’s second-largest total in a 24-hour period since records began.

Much of the town remains unscathed, although Reid Road was heavily hit and remains closed due to damage sustained in the downpour.

Shire of Wandering chief executive Amanda O’Halloran said there were about 15 roads with damage from rain.

“Most of the damage is an extension of damage already caused with the February rain,” she said.

“We had just gotten to the point where everything was signed off and ready to go and now we have this.

“We’ll take photos and do assessments and go from there.”