Gold Coast emergency services were on high alert late January, as the city was wracked by damaging winds and relentless rain caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald. As at 3:30pm on the 27th January, 3000 Gold Coast residents were without power – spanning throughout the Coast.
Energex were quick on hand to restore power, but were hindered by weather conditions. This led to some homes’ power being restored in hours, whilst others waited for up to three days.
Strong winds caused many roads were blocked due to fallen power lines, roofing ripped, damage to businesses, and major traffic delays at Robina, Nerang, Coomera, and Oxenford.
Around the coast Canungra had received 76mm since 9am, 25mm at the Gold Coast Seaway and 66mm at Little Nerang Dam as of January 27th.
Inconveniences and damages were the remains of the Gold Coast, and had resulted in no fatalities; unlike close by areas in South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers resulting in six deaths.
In past weather conditions, including the floods of 2011, the Gold Coast has been subject to less damage than its circumambient regions. However, after the January storms, recovery is still being undertaken to restore functionality of roads, public areas, beaches, and commercial areas.
Recently on the other spectrum, fire crews battled 30 fires across Queensland, including several blazes at Mt Tamborine and near by hinterland; caused by the drastic heat, and lightning strikes from reoccurring storms.
Kemii 