Key Takeaways
- A partial crane collapse occurred on the Gold Coast, leading to an emergency declaration by Queensland Police
- No injuries were reported, but thousands of homes and businesses were left without power due to the storm
- The storm brought wind gusts of up to 80 km/h, causing damage to powerlines and property in the area
- An exclusion zone was put in place, and residents were advised to remain indoors or avoid the area
- Emergency services are working to make the area safe and restore power to affected areas
Introduction to the Incident
The Gold Coast was hit by a severe storm on Christmas Day, resulting in a partial crane collapse and widespread damage to the area. The incident occurred at around 3:15 pm on Thursday, with emergency services being called to the Gold Coast Highway at Southport. Reports indicated that a crane and multiple powerlines were damaged in the vicinity, prompting Queensland Police to make an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act. The declaration was made before 4 pm, and members of the public were advised to avoid the area, with those within the exclusion zone being asked to remain indoors.
Emergency Response and Exclusion Zone
The exclusion zone, which spans the Gold Coast Highway, North Street, Loders Creek, and the Broadwater, was put in place to ensure public safety. Emergency services, including the Queensland Ambulance Service and Energex, were quick to respond to the incident, with crews working to make the area safe and restore power to affected areas. The Queensland Ambulance Service reported that no one was believed to have been injured as a result of the incident, which is a welcome relief given the severity of the storm. Residents within the exclusion zone were advised to stay indoors and avoid traveling to the area until further notice.
The Storm and Its Impact
The storm that hit the Gold Coast was intense and scary, with wind gusts of up to 80 km/h recorded at the Gold Coast Seaway. The storm was quick-moving, lasting only about 10 minutes, but its impact was significant. Aerial footage showed upturned gazebos and minor damage at the neighboring caravan park, while resident Liz Freeman described the storm as "intense and scary." Freeman, who lives in a 12th-floor apartment, reported that the windows were shaking, and heavy balcony furniture was being thrown around like paper. The storm’s impact was not limited to the Gold Coast, with thousands of homes and businesses in Brisbane, Somerset, and the Gold Coast left without power.
Power Outages and Restoration Efforts
Energex, the energy provider, reported that "small but intense" storm cells had taken out power to thousands of homes and businesses in south-east Queensland. At 5:30 pm, almost 8,000 customers were without power, with crews set to commence restoration works when it was safe to do so. The company received reports of about 15 powerlines down in the Southport area, as well as other property damage. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of south-east Queensland, with damaging winds, large hailstones, and heavy rainfall possible for parts of Brisbane, the Redlands, the Sunshine Coast, and the South Burnett.
Ongoing Weather Warnings and Precautions
The BOM issued additional warnings at 5:30 pm as the storms continued to move north towards Gympie. Residents were advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The severe thunderstorm warning was a reminder that the storm was not isolated to the Gold Coast and that other areas could be affected. As the situation continues to unfold, emergency services and energy providers will be working tirelessly to restore power and make the area safe. In the meantime, residents are advised to follow the instructions of emergency services and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
