The severe thunderstorm that hit the Sunshine Coast late Saturday snapped a towering, 100-foot tree ‘like a toothpick’ and tore through Caloundra Golf Club, forcing its closure.
The Bureau predicts that there is still the chance of more thunderstorms Sunday and Monday before much better weather arrives from Wednesday through to Saturday. Showers will persist over the next few days and top temperatures will be 27C to 29C.
The risk of severe storms increases to a “high chance’’ Sunday in the Wide Bay and Burnett District.
A long-time Moffat resident said it was one of the worst storms he had seen.
“It was total carnage,’’ he said.
“We lost a pine tree that was 100 feet tall and was one of the oldest in the area. It snapped like a toothpick. It crushed our fence but fortunately, missed the house.
“We think the wind gusts must have reached 100km/h or more to cause that much damage to mature trees.”
Caloundra Golf Club is closed after Saturday’s brief but dramatic onslaught and course superintendent Wayne Anderson said half the course had been smashed.
“The storm cell uprooted big trees, stripped others … I’ve been here for 25 years and have never seen anything like this,” he said.
“Whatever it was, it tore through half the course and spared the other half.”
An announcement from the club said that unfortunately the course would be closed Sunday and Monday.
“There has been a lot of damage from both fallen trees and debris. We are calling for volunteers to help in any way they can to clean up the golf course so we can reopen as soon as possible.
“If you are available please meet with our course staff at 7am tomorrow morning (Monday) at the maintenance shed off Allen Street.”
Do you have any storm photos to share? Email news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au
Damaging wind gusts and heavy rain hit the southern end of the Coast, turning roads into rivers and leaving a trail of debris after trees and shrubs were left shredded.
Trampolines tumbled out of yards, fences and awnings bowed and pool toys could be seen floating down streets.
Parked cars, like this one pictured near Caloundra Cricket Club, were surrounded by branches wrenched from trees by the power-packed winds.
Moffat Beach, Pelican Waters, Meridan Plains, Corbould Park/Little Mountain and Glass House Mountains were among the suburbs most affected.
Power outages were reported at Moffat, Warana and Little Mountain.
The clean-up began in earnest Sunday morning and the sound of chainsaws reverberated across Caloundra.
Sunshine Coast Council is allowing Caloundra area residents and business owners to dispose of green waste for free until 5pm Tuesday (January 19).
Acting Mayor Rick Baberowski said the Caloundra resource recovery centre would accept free green waste disposal required as a result of the storms.
“Sunshine Coast Council’s clean-up crews are working as quickly as possible to attend to the job of clearing and making safe our public spaces, so we thank the community for their patience,” Cr Baberowski said.
“We understand that our affected residents and those nearby will most likely be in some shock following what is for some quite extensive damage.
“Council wants to reassure our community our disaster management teams and emergency support partners have acted quickly to provide assistance.”
Local Disaster Co-ordinator Tom Jamieson said there were no reports of damage to essential infrastructure.
“Assessments of the areas are still continuing, however reports initially are that there has been widespread damage to these southern locations, with many large trees down over roads with some through roofs and vehicles, debris covering roads and public areas, powerlines down and a number of leaking roofs on private properties,” Mr Jamieson said.
“Our council teams have worked through the night to attend emergency works and clearing, with numerous field crews and arborists out this morning to manage the clean-up and restoration efforts.
“SES has also worked through the night to assist with private property issues. SES received 58 call-outs.
“There were 255 residences without power in the Moffat, Kings and Shelly Beach areas. Energex is on site at these locations to restore power as soon as possible.
“Crews will be conducting emergency works throughout the region and ensuring the area is safe, however it is expected that the full clean-up will be quite extensive and be carried out over the coming week.
“At this time the effects on the coastal areas and beaches are still being assessed and we will keep our community informed.”
Mr Jamieson said the disaster management team would monitor the weather closely as more storms were predicted.
“Council crews are on standby and we also urge residents to clear their yards as much as possible to prevent further damage and to secure any items which may become airborne.”
Visit Council’s Disaster Hub to keep up to date.
