Key Takeaways:
- A severe thunderstorm and hail hit the South Australian town of Port Pirie, causing widespread damage and power outages.
- The State Emergency Services (SES) received 170 calls for help in 12 hours, with 165 volunteers deployed to the area.
- Wind gusts of up to 119 km/h were recorded, bringing down trees and powerlines, and causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure.
- At least 4,900 households were without power, with SA Power Networks working to restore electricity to the area.
- The storm was described as "sudden" and "not anticipated" by the Bureau of Meteorology, with the majority of damage caused by fallen trees and hail.
Introduction to the Storm
The South Australian town of Port Pirie was hit by a severe thunderstorm and hail on Saturday, causing widespread damage and power outages. The State Emergency Services (SES) received 170 calls for help in 12 hours, with 165 volunteers deployed to the area to assist with the cleanup efforts. The storm was described as "sudden" and "not anticipated" by the Bureau of Meteorology, with wind gusts of up to 119 km/h recorded in the town.
Damage and Power Outages
The storm caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure, with at least two houses suffering "substantial damage". The majority of wreckage was caused by fallen trees, which brought down power lines and left thousands of households without electricity. SA Power Networks external affairs manager Cecilia Schutz said that the storm cell caused significant damage, bringing down up to 50 power lines in and around Port Pirie. At its peak, about 4,900 households were without power, with SA Power Networks working to restore electricity to the area.
Resident Experiences
Residents of Port Pirie were left to deal with the aftermath of the storm, with many experiencing damage to their homes and property. Angela Lewis, a resident of Port Pirie, said that her ceiling almost fell on her when she went to inspect the damage overnight. She described the storm as "unbelievable", with hail up to her husband’s ankles and wind that took the paint off her outdoor setting. Another resident, Alivia Dunbar, also had her ceiling collapse, sending "icy water" onto her floors and hallway.
Emergency Response
The SES and other emergency services were quick to respond to the storm, with 72 SA Power Networks crews and contractors working on restoring power to the area. The Bureau of Meteorology issued two severe thunderstorm warnings on Saturday, but the storm was still described as "unpredictable" and "sudden". The Port Pirie council held an emergency meeting to deal with the storm cleanup, with residents urged to stay home and avoid congesting the roads.
Aftermath and Cleanup
The cleanup efforts are ongoing, with the SES and other emergency services working to restore power and clear debris from the area. The Port Pirie council has set up a waste transfer station for residents to bring their green waste, and is working to clear trees and other debris from council land and verges. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that thunderstorms are common in South Australia during the spring season, and residents are advised to be prepared for further severe weather events.
Conclusion
The severe thunderstorm and hail that hit Port Pirie on Saturday caused significant damage and disruption to the town, with thousands of households left without power and many residents experiencing damage to their homes and property. The emergency response efforts are ongoing, with the SES and other services working to restore power and clear debris from the area. Residents are advised to stay safe and be prepared for further severe weather events, and to follow the instructions of emergency services and local authorities.