Region dodges worst of weekend storms

Published 1:38pm 26 October 2020

Region dodges worst of weekend storms
Words by Jodie Powell

Homes and businesses in the Moreton Bay Region were spared the worst of the weekend’s storms.

As wild winds and hail lashed parts of the state, leaving many homes without power, the Moreton Bay Region SES Unit was called to just 14 jobs between Thursday and Sunday.

Moreton Bay Region SES local controller Henk van den Ende says the area missed the most severe part of the storms.

Henk says SES crews were called to one job at Arana Hills, Bribie Island and Deception Bay.

Caboolture and Petrie each received four call-outs, while Redcliffe recorded three.

Mayor Peter Flannery says Moreton Bay was lucky to dodge the hail damage and power outages over the weekend.

Timely reminder

“The destruction we saw in Brisbane is a timely reminder for locals in Moreton Bay to get ready, because clearly the summer storm season has arrived early,” Mayor Flannery says.

“We launched ‘Get Ready Week’ earlier this month so if you haven’t already made a plan for your property and family - do that now.

Mayor Flannery says the Bureau of Meteorology has warned weather will intensify in coming days.

“There’s the potential for isolated very dangerous thunderstorms with locally destructive winds, giant hail and intense rainfall, particularly around the southeast corner on Tuesday and Wednesday,” he says.

Modest rainfall

The automatic weather station (AWS) at Redcliffe recorded 37.2mm of rain over the weekend, while the Scarborough AWS captured 25mm.

In 24 hours to Sunday morning, Beachmere is estimated to have recorded 50mm of rain, with 48mm in Clontarf.

Kallangur is estimated to have had 26mm in the 24 hours to Monday morning, with Samford and Albany Creek receiving between 13 and 30mm.

All set for storms

Henk says local SES units are ready for wild weather.

“The unit is gearing up for storm season as we do every season, with new recruits now also trained up to storm season readiness,” Henk says.

He says SES units across the region have taken on more recruits, and the service is looking for more people to join the newly created Murrumba Downs SES.

“Murrumba Downs will primarily focus on operations management, as we also need members to do all the behind the scenes work managing the teams to ensure we effectively respond to calls for assistance,” Henk says.

Seeking new recruits

“This group is seeking members from the public who want to join SES but do not want to undertake field work.

“There are always tasks within the SES that do not involve field work and that is the focus of this new group.”

Click here to find out more about joining the SES.

Find more information about how to be ready for summer storms, click here.

Read more local news here.

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