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Stranded in Snowy Hell
Imagine being stuck on a bus, surrounded by dense snow, unable to move an inch. This nightmare turned reality for Geraldine Fenn and 26 other passengers on the New England Highway. “We were climbing a hill when suddenly, our bus lost all traction,” recounted Ms. Fenn to ABC News. Trapped for four agonizing hours, they found themselves amid fallen trees and multiple car accidents.
The New England North West region of Australia is currently battling one of the worst snowstorms in its history. The snow has blanketed the area in white, transforming it into a picturesque yet treacherous landscape.
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The Unprecedented Whiteout
According to NSW SES officials, this snowfall surpasses any previous records set in the region. Reports indicate that nearly 200 vehicles have succumbed to the relentless snowdrifts, bringing transportation to a standstill across towns like Armidale and Walcha.
Snowfalls exceeding 50cm are forecasted to persist throughout Saturday and well into Sunday. In light of these extreme conditions, severe weather warnings have been issued to caution residents about venturing outdoors.
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Power Outages Add Misery
As if dealing with heavy snow wasn’t challenging enough, over 32,000 homes and businesses are grappling with power outages across Mid North Coast and New England regions. Essential Energy attributes these outages to fierce winds dislodging vegetation onto power lines and disrupting the electricity network.
Residents are urged to maintain a safe distance from any damaged power infrastructure to avoid potential hazards. The impact zone stretches from Macksville along the coast all the way inland between Armidale and Walcha.
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Expert meteorologists suggest that such intense weather phenomena can be attributed to shifting climate patterns affecting various regions worldwide differently. With global warming altering atmospheric conditions, unexpected events like this serve as stark reminders of nature’s unpredictability.
In times like these, communities must come together, supporting one another through challenges posed by Mother Nature’s fury.
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