Soaking in it!- Pakenham’s rainfall guru Raffaelina Scuglia was delighted about the recent dow

The heavens opened up in the shire last week, as Pakenham was drenched with a high 68.4mm rainfall – more than fell in the month of July.
The deluge saw waters rise around the municipality, including the Bunyip and Lang Lang rivers.
Farmers and residents welcomed the downpour after a dry winter and a series of parched Septembers.
Raffaelina Scuglia, Pakenham’s official rainfall recorder, was almost singing in the rain.
“It just came on all at once,” she said.
“Everything just looks fresh and rejuvenated – it’s just unreal.”
Cardinia Victorian Farmers Federation president Ian Anderson said the heavy precipitation would have restored farmers’ confidence.
“From a farmer’s point of view it’s just terrific to see,” the Nar Nar Goon dairy farmer said.
“I think generally speaking people are pleased to see water and it’s a nice time to get it as it sets the spring up for everyone.
“We’ll put up with a few bad days just to get that rain.”
A massive 86mm fell in the Bunyip River catchment from 9am Thursday to 4.30pm Monday.
The ford at Cora Lynn was closed to traffic after its water level peaked at 3.38m, above the minor 3.1m flood level.
Water was also gushing in the Lang Lang River, according to locals.
“Let’s say I haven’t seen it as high as that for 15 to 17 years,” Lang Lang resident Jan McGregor said.
The water level in Kooweerup’s Main Drain was also up.
“It’s over the banks now … it’s the best we’ve seen it for a long while, it’s a welcome sight actually,” Kooweerup township committee chairman Ray Brown said.
Mrs Scuglia, who has been recording Pakenham’s rainfall for the Bureau of Meteorology over the last 11 years, said just 41.8mm of rain fell in Pakenham during June, 67.6mm in July and 81.8mm in August.
The previous four Septembers were also relatively dry for Pakenham with rainfall of 35mm, 57mm, 56mm and 81mm respectively.
Shayne Honey, of the Pakenham SES, said his unit had been on standby all weekend following minor flood warnings for Iona, Cora Lynn and Kooweerup.
“On grand final day we had some members who had a drive along to monitor it,” he said.
“If it (Bunyip River) did break its banks we would know exactly where and what to do.”
Cloud was expected to increase today with patchy rain during the evening, while isolated showers are forecast for tomorrow.