New Year’s Eve weather: A monster storm spanning over 1,000km will devastate Australia’s east coast, bringing damaging winds and heavy hail – as it turns out SES volunteers have been abused by frustrated homeowners
Wild weather is forecast for large parts of Australia on New Year’s Eve, with SES volunteers facing verbal abuse from frustrated residents devastated by floods.
Heavy rain, thunderstorms and large hail forecast for northern NSW and Queensland have emergency services on standby on New Year’s Eve.
A wild weather system stretched more than 1000km from Port Macquarie to Rockhampton on Sunday afternoon, with parts of Qld’s Central Highlands and Coalfields, Maranoa and Darling Downs regions worst affected.
Jonathan How, senior meteorologist at the weather bureau, urged residents to stay aware of flood warnings.
Heavy rain, thunderstorms and large hail forecast for northern NSW and Queensland have emergency services on standby on New Year’s Eve
Monster storms could dampen New Year’s Eve plans for Australians across the country (revelers pictured in Sydney awaiting the fireworks)
“At this stage we do not expect widespread flooding, but areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms could cause flash flooding, as well as rapid rises in creeks, rivers and storm drains,” he said.
South East Queensland area manager Tony Cooper revealed recovery crews who volunteered over Christmas had suffered abuse in the aftermath of shocking storms on the Gold Coast.
SES crews had on Sunday responded to more than 3,500 calls for help from residents since Christmas Day, when the Gold Coast, Scenic Rim and Logan counties were devastated by severe weather.
Mr Cooper said there had been cases of abuse against volunteers, many of whom had sacrificed their Christmas holidays to help affected communities.
“There have probably been specific cases, but our guys are very experienced. They are very professional and take it on the chin,” he said.
Meanwhile, Queensland Deputy Prime Minister Cameron Dick had a media event interrupted by frustrated residents after being without power for almost a week.
Severe weather between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day resulted in 10 deaths in Queensland and Victoria
There was also a severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds over the Northern Territory’s Gregory district.
A group of thunderstorms threatened Timber Creek and Yarralin with gusts of 90km/h recorded at Delamere Weapons Range.
High wind warnings have been issued for the Byron Coast in NSW and several coastal areas in Western Australia, including eastern and western Pilbra, Perth, Bunbury, Leeuwin, Esperance and Eucla.
Wind gusts reached 93km/h at Gympie on Saturday, while 64mm of rain fell at Cedar Pocket Dam in Queensland.
The Sunshine Coast was also lashed by rain, with Beerburrum recording 110mm in two hours and Landsborough 67mm in 30 minutes.
On the Fraser Coast, farmer Aaron Broom posted photos of cattle killed after being struck by lightning.
“A wild storm just came through our Fraser Coast property in SEQ and a lightning strike killed five cows,” Mr Broom posted on social media on Saturday.
‘I’ve never had this before, poor buggers were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m glad there was no more cowering in the weather.’
On the Fraser Coast, farmer Aaron Broom posted photos of cattle killed after being struck by lightning
The Gold Coast region has been hit by severe storms in recent days
Crews have confirmed that four homes in the state’s southeast have been “completely destroyed” and 750 homes have suffered minor to severe damage from storms since Christmas, Deputy Prime Minister Cameron Dick told reporters in Jimboomba on Sunday.
He said there have been 3,000 calls to the state emergency service since the night of the 25th and about 18,000 people across the state are still waiting for power to be restored.
“We have crews cleaning the streets and trying to clear the debris so we can get the electrical crews in,” Mr. Dick said.
Up to 70 Defense Force veterans and retired emergency services personnel are assisting with storm cleanup efforts in south-east Queensland.
They have been deployed to the worst affected areas, including the northern Gold Coast, Tamborine Mountain and Jimboomba, to remove fallen trees, clear debris, stabilize buildings and improve access to homes.
Severe weather between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day resulted in ten deaths in Queensland and Victoria, including a nine-year-old girl who became lost in a storm drain.
NSW SES crews were kept busy, responding to 473 calls for help and carrying out six flood rescues over the Christmas weekend.