The red dust storm that descended on the region on September 23 in 2009 was exactly eight years ago.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Fairfax Media reported at the time the air conditions were 35 times worse than during a bushfire with the dust causing even more problems for residents already suffering from respiratory problems.
It was a morning when shops stayed shut to prevent the dust getting into the merchandise, and where they could residents tried to stay indoors where possible.
Flights in and out of cities were postponed for much of the day, while swimming pools were also closed due to issues with water clarity.
For one student, it was the opportunity to grab the camera, as reported by the Mudgee Guardian at the time:
‘Mudgee High School year 11 student Josh Baskerville said his first reaction when he woke on Wednesday morning was to grab the camera.
“I woke up and saw the strip of Orange coming through my window, the first thing I thought of was to grab the camera and the tripod and get outside,” Mr Baskerville said.
Mr Baskerville said he remembers a dust storm coming through the town a few years back but said it wasn’t as bad as this one.’
The storm was likened to one that occurred in 1944 when dust blanketed the state with a visibility of 500 metres.
Did you take a photo of the dust storm? Dig it out and email lynn.rayner@fairfaxmedia.com.au and we will add it into our gallery.