Though August is historically a dry month, with almost double average figured recorded in November at the Armidale airport according to Bureau of Meteorology statistics, only four days of August this month could rise well above monthly averages. Swelling creeks cut roads and downed trees around the district calling two SES crews into action on Wednesday afternoon and continuing yesterday.

Unit controller Josh Osborne said the local SES responded to nine call-outs on Wednesday and a further six yesterday for downed trees on properties and across roads but reported all roads were open yesterday afternoon. Crewmen worked to remove a fallen tree 158 Jessie Street yesterday morning, but Mr Osborne said there was no severe damage sustained in the district.

“Everything is pretty well under control,” he said.

Though the month is only four days underway, Mr Osborne said crews had been kept busy in an August they were not used to. Low roads in the city were cut early yesterday morning, but Mr Osborne said rapid runoff in the catchment areas meant water was expected to recede quickly.

“The water will be receding pretty quickly because the runoff goes pretty quickly through our catchment system,” he said. But, soggy conditions over recent weeks meant waters could rise again if rainfall continued.

The weather was not enough to dampen all spirits, though, with inundated sports fields at the University of New England campus proving a hit online. Photos of kayaking students circulated on Facebook on Wednesday afternoon, receiving more than 2200 likes.

Meanwhile, roadworks were left soaking on the Thunderbolt’s Way, near Bundarra, after tops were removed in recent weeks for upgrades.