Overview
- The storm produced widespread heavy rain on Thursday, with the Bureau of Meteorology reporting about 42 mm in metropolitan Adelaide and more than 60 mm at several Adelaide Hills sites, and spot totals up to roughly 68 mm.
- Bureau sensors recorded about 50,000 lightning strikes in a 12‑hour window with roughly 12,000 ground strikes concentrated around North East Pastoral and Adelaide, forcing delays to the Torrens to Darlington tunnelling start.
- Emergency services handled hundreds of calls for help after urban flooding overwhelmed drains, with State Emergency Service crews responding to about 180 call‑outs and roads, flights and sporting grounds disrupted.
- Farmers welcomed the rain as needed relief after several dry years, reporting large seasonal gains in feed and soil moisture, though dairy and grain producers warned that prolonged cold, wet conditions could slow pasture growth.
- Forecasters have active warnings for damaging winds and gale conditions and Marine Safety SA warns of abnormally high tides into the weekend, creating ongoing coastal and marine hazards and potential further impacts to infrastructure.