The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a heatwave for NSW for Friday and Saturday, and high temperatures with little rain are predicted for next week. See also other news and events from Putty.
The Bureau of Meteorology defines a heatwave as three or more days in a row when both daytime and night-time temperatures are unusually high—in relation to the local long-term climate and the recent past. There is no single temperature threshold for a heatwave in Australia.
Power in Howes Valley, Garland Valley and Putty is off today for maintenance. It will hopefully be back on this afternoon. However, extreme heat conditions can cause power failures, so unless you have a generator or solar power keeping cool is difficult.
What to do during a heatwave
- Check fans and air-conditioner – clean AC filter
- Watch for signs of heat stress – headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, fainting.
- Wet a few towels, keep them cool and place over people with heat stress.
- Drink plenty of cool water
- Wear loose fitting clothing and a hat if going outside
- Stay indoors during the middle of the day
- Have a cool shower
- Close doors and windows and protect windows from direct sunlight with drawn curtains or blinds.
- Make cool packs and ice cubes
Fires
Putty was fortunate in November with no fires reported. Two fires broke out to the north of Putty, one on the Kindarun Trail burnt out 58ha and another on the Hunter Main Trail at Raspberry Junction burnt out 20ha.
With the hot conditions this week be vigilant and if you see smoke ring 000 so the RFS can get onto it fast. Download the Hazards Near Me app and keep up to date.
Events
Let’s hope Santa remembers to bring some water pistols so we can all cool off at the Christmas Party.
Sunday 17 December – Monks of Putty
St Shenouda Monastery at Putty Hall 1 – 4pm
Help gift wrap presents for patients in Hawkesbury Hospital over Christmas, followed by a meal and optional Bible study. If you would like to donate a gift for a man, woman or child please drop it into the hall.
Putty Hall Upgrade
The Putty Hall upgrade is nearly complete. Fencing and new gates installed. Disabled access ramp built off the deck and the roof has been replaced over the supper room. Shower and upgrade to disabled toilet awaiting final fit-out and internal painting. Air conditioning installed to the general purpose room, and solar system with battery backup installed. Exterior painting 90% complete.
All works should be completed and inspected by the end of next week.
Varroa virus
The Department of Primary Industries came to Putty in November to test bees for varroa virus. They are using some hives in Putty as sentinels.
Rainfall
November 2023 – 96mm
November 2022 – 100mm
November 10 year average – 90mm
Year to date 2023 – 554mm
Year to date 2022 – 1752mm
Putty Alerts 