Australia Weather News

For a second night, the Bolt Inn at Uralla on the Northern Tablelands has become abolthole for people stranded by the region's snowstorm.

With the New England Highway closed to the south, police turned some motorists back to Uralla on Saturday, prompting an accommodation shortfall.

The town rallied to host people in their homes and on the floors of the town's two pubs.

Publican Peter Strelitz was out of the region, but told his staff to do what they could, even with the added challenge of having no power and no phone reception.

"We have a deep fryer, which is gas, so it was chips and schnitzels," he said.

"We have three big fires so we stoked those up and had lots of candles around.

"I'm hearing today there may have been quite a few spirits consumed to keep themselves warm as well."

The extreme weather that has hit north-east New South Wales might beOK for people stuck in the pub, but it has wreaked havoc on others.

Tenant Suzanne Siossian is among thousands of people who are counting costs after snow, wind and rain lashed the region.

The 81-year-old said the outside facia board on the Crescent Head house came loose, the roof lifted and the walls collapsed during the storm.

Ms Siossian, who only moved into the rental this week, was lucky to get out in time.

Her neighbour, Amelia Coy, saw the destruction unfold.

"The house is completely ruined," Ms Coy said.

"I've lived here my whole life and I've never seen weather like this before. We've seen some wild storms over the years, but nothing ever like this."

Wild winds ripped the roof off Kempsey High School on Saturday.

Kempsey Shire Mayor Kinnie Ring said scores of students due to sit their HSC trials at the school on Monday would most likely be relocated to other schools in the area.

"All across the shire it's been a really devastating event, and right in the middle of recovery from the May floods," Cr Ring said.

West Kempsey resident Michael Chapman was lying in bed when the roof peeled off his house around midday.

He took refuge at his parents' house, worrying mostly about the impact on his dog.

"The intensity of it was ridiculous," he said.

"Everything is wet, beds, television, everything.

"I'm lost. I really don't know where to go from here, but I suppose we will take it step-by-step."

Daily life disrupted

Armidale's Goldfish Bakery owner Trent Rushsaid he struggled on Sunday with staff because they were unable to make their way to work through the snow.

He said several businesses in the town were closed today due to power outages and staffing issues. 

He said the talk of the town was the amount of chaos caused by the snowy conditions, with the airport shut down and heavy vehicles losing traction on the New England Highway.

Armidale resident Tess Dasey, 68, said it was the most snow she had ever seen in the university town.

"We had a big fall in 1984, but this weekend was bigger," Ms Dasey said.

"We thought it was very pretty on Saturday afternoon, but now we're without electricity like much of New England … our solar panels are covered by 10 centimetres of snow and our battery is dead.

"Our driveway is covered in tree branches and snow, so we can't get out to deal with that."

Counting the cost

Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey, who is based in Gunnedah, was preparing his farm for flooding on Sunday morning.

He said farmers were keeping a close eye on how high the water would go.

"Sometimes a moderate flood can be OK on agricultural land," he said.

"But this time of year, there are a lot of crops, canola and oats and grain crops, so the potential is for significant loss here if it turns into a major flood."

He said his major focus would be ensuring communities in the region were prepared and informed, and supported to recover from any damage.

Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said he was concerned for livestock and local infrastructure.

The Tamworth-based MP said he was not yet in a position to comment on what type of grant assistance could become available.

"Let's just see what happens to pastures, obviously, if there's a complete wipe-out of pastures, then people will need help," he said.

"I think a lot of buildings were not built to bear the weight of snow that was on them, so it will be interesting to see what happens with that."

He said he expected a significant damage bill to repair roads affected by the rain and snow.

"Let's just wait until the snow goes to see what happens next."