The power of Mother Nature

By Sheree Hoddinett  

When the clouds started building on the afternoon of November 24, no one could have predicted the path of destruction that would soon follow. 

In typical fashion, the storm which had already pummelled the Gold Coast, southern suburbs and Brisbane itself, made itself known across the City of Moreton Bay around school pick up time. Strong winds whipped up first as skies darkened and then what followed was a trail of carnage. Trees were uprooted, powerlines toppled like they were bits of string, hail pinged off car and home roof tops and the rain poured down.  

Some of the worst hits areas in City of Moreton Bay included Bribie Island, Narangba, Burpengary, Morayfield, Griffin and Caboolture. 

It was quick, it was intense and as it moved further north up the coast, a large trail of damage and devastation was left behind. Roofs were damaged or stripped in multiple areas; windows and other parts of homes were smashed by hail or by trees falling or branches being blown into buildings. Some cars were flipped or damaged as a result of the winds and debris.   

Shortly after the storm had passed, these were just some of the immediate local impacts: 

• A home in Woorim lost its roof due to destructive winds. 

• A car was seen flipped on its side at Woorim Caravan Park.  

• Boats broke moorings in the Pumicestone passage and kayaks were seen floating on their own. 

• Trees and branches covered First Avenue from Bongaree to Woorim, limiting access. 

• Powerlines came down in Welsby Parade, Bongaree. 

• Reports of powerlines down over cars on Dianthus Avenue and Orara Avenue, Banksia Beach AND First Avenue and Cumming Street, Bongaree. 

• Reports of a tree falling onto a vehicle in Arcadia Avenue, Woorim. 

• Traffic was slow moving along Caboolture Bribie Island Road, with significant delays in both directions. 

While there was widespread hail throughout the storm, the biggest pieces were recorded at Ferny Hills (City of Moreton Bay) and Manly on Brisbane’s bayside, measuring in at about 11cm. More than 800,000 lightning strikes were also recorded.  

However, one of the biggest consequences was a massive loss of electricity. At the storm’s peak, more than 160,000 energy customers across southeast Queensland were without power, with a large proportion located in City of Moreton Bay. In some suburbs, more than 50,000 homes and businesses lost power. More than 600 power lines had come down during the storm and with blocked access and ongoing hazards, Energex crews warned that for many residents, full power restoration could take several days. By November 28, power was restored to many properties with only a small number still experiencing power loss. For many residents across the City of Moreton Bay, the loss of power for many days also meant having to throw away food and other damaged items.  

The day after the storm, City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery highlighted the immense impact of the disaster but also praised residents for doing their part to help. 

“It’s been rewarding to see the strong community spirit with neighbours helping each other and our staff, SES and Energex working extremely hard to clean up debris and bring the community back to business as usual.” 

With the mammoth clean-up well underway, on November 27 it was announced that some financial help was on its way thanks to joint Commonwealth-state funding. Eligible residents in the worst-affected localities could apply for personal hardship assistance, with $180 for individuals and up to $900 for larger households, to help with essentials such as food, clothing and medicine. For more information, visit www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp. 

The severe storm, which followed days of intense heat and humidity, packed more of a punch than Cyclone Alfred which crossed the Queensland coast back in March. With summer now officially underway, temperatures creeping up and the threat of more stormy weather ahead, here’s hoping we don’t see more storms like that one! 

To help prepare for any upcoming severe weather, visit City of Moreton Bay’s helpful disaster information www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Disaster-Management/Before-a-Disaster/Storms-And-Floods and Queensland Government’s disaster page www.disaster.qld.gov.au