Australia: Dust storm hits Charleville February 21

Event

A large dust storm hit the town of Charleville (Queensland) on Wednesday, February 21. According to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, the storm was approximately 200 km (124 mi) wide, with winds up to 96 km/h (60 mph). The storm brought down trees throughout the town and caused minor damages. Visibility was reduced to 200 m (656 ft) at the local airport and the police issued safety warnings for drivers in the area. Conditions are expected to improve in the coming hours.

Context

Dust storms are not uncommon in the dry, hot areas of western Queensland. However, officials said that Wednesday’s storm was one of the more significant storms in recent years.

Advice

Individuals in the region are advised to keep abreast of the situation via weather reporting agencies and to follow any instructions issued by local authorities.