Boreen Point residents were hard hit by the severe storm on 24 November with power lost for five days, roads cut by fallen powerlines and fallen trees and roofs, windows and vehicles damaged by hail.
Fortunately The Apollonian Hotel came to the community’s rescue thanks to a “massive generator” installed about five years ago enabling them to operate, while Energex crews worked around the clock to restore powerlines and Noosa Council and SES crews provided assistance.
“It was wild,” hotel owner Lou Paynter said of the story. “We were the hub of the community. Everybody came in and got hot food and cold drinks.” Having bore water and working toilets was also essential for a town reliant on a septic system.
Apart from a few individuals with generators the whole town lost power for five days,” Lou said.
“There were 20 lines cut or broken.”
The hotel did not go unscathed in the event with three trees smashing down on their accommodation building and a “massive gum” coming down on the property.
“We were lucky no one was in,” Lou said.
“We got a small hole in the roof and a lot of windows broken.”
They managed to contract a tree lopper to clear the debris in time for guests to come in Saturday and a wedding to go ahead.
Around the town “people were smashed with hail”, Lou said, with two men caught outdoors in boats at the time the storm hit.
One fellow was in a boat that got flipped over. He stayed under the boat and it protected him from the hail.
A second man was less fortunate, ending up “black and blue” from hail hits, she said.
An Energex spokesperson said there were 686 customers affected by the storm in the Boreen Point and Cootharaba area, with power restored progressively over the following days and the final customers back on supply by Saturday.
Across Noosa Shire there were 264 powerlines affected, all having since been repaired, the spokesperson said.
“Most were caused by wind and fallen trees, although there was some lightning damage,” he said.
“Crews worked long hours in challenging conditions, including difficult terrain, high temperatures, and repeated storm activity. The work was tough going.
Working with state and federal governments Noosa Council this week advised that 14 suburbs and some specific streets in other locations in Noosa Shire, impacted by the severe storms, had been activated to receive disaster funding.
Households in the worst hit areas can now apply for help through the Commonwealth State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
These suburbs are Boreen Point, Como, Cooran, Cooroibah, Cootharaba, Doonan Kin Kin, Lake Macdonald, Noosa North Shore, Peregian Beach, Pinbarren, Ridgewood Ringtail Creek, Tinbeerwah.
Various grants are available including $180 for individuals and up to $900 for families of five or more are available to cover essentials such as food, clothing, and medicine.
Council set up Recovery Hubs this week in the most impacted areas with community recovery staff will be on hand to assist with information, grant applications, and support.
This Saturday, 6 December the community-minded Apollonian Hotel will host a fundraiser from 4-9pm for local musician Cale Fisher to assist him as he recovers from a bad accident. A lineup of musicians including Charles Camilleri Connection, Minni Marks, Hat Fitz & Cara, Jane, Michele & The Consortium, and Minni & Johnny will be performing at the event. Tickets $35 from Humanitix.
“Come in and support us because we support the community,” Lou said.
