Despite intense storms and heavy rain mixed with hot and humid days Noosa was lucky to dodge the worst of the wild weather that hit South East Queensland over the festive season and come out with relatively little damage.
Noosa SES local controller Warren Kuskopf said storms on Christmas Eve brought down trees on two houses at Cootharaba and Lake MacDonald, causing substantial damage but there were no reports of physical injuries.
SES volunteers attended both scenes to assist as well as clearing fallen trees on roads and access areas at Boreen Point and the hinterland.
SES responded to about half a dozen calls over the New Year period, mostly to remove trees from access areas, but again the worst of the rains skirted around the Shire.
“We could have dodged a bullet,” Warren said.
On Tuesday with the ground at saturation point and heavy rain pouring over the Shire for hours Warren was crossing his fingers the rains would ease.
He said SES attended about a dozen calls for assistance on Tuesday for sandbagging and leaking roofs as residents’ concerns over rising water increased, but no major damage was recorded.
When it looked like causing problems with private dams full and continuous rain, though Lake MacDonald was only at about 70 per cent capacity, the clouds took off out to sea, he said.
Warren said SES volunteers from Noosa had been deployed to Cairns and the Gold Coast over the festive season to help in areas worse affected by storms and flooding.
“They’re in an absolute mess,” he said, with the Gold Coast SES receiving 700-1000 calls on some days for assistance.
With all Noosa SES members having now returned from deployment Warren said he needed to ensure Noosa maintained their capability locally but they would probably be called on again to assist other regions.
The Bureau of Meterology meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said on Tuesday heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding in some areas of SEQ which had seen 200-300mm overnight.
She said the risk of heavy falls may persist to Wednesday morning and even as the rainfall eases back we may see further charges as high amounts of rainfall move through river systems.
According to Noosa Council’s Disaster Dashboard there was tidal inundation of salt water across Gympie Terrace, Noosaville and Hilton Terraces, Tewantin, water across the road at Goodchap Street, Noosaville and flash flooding on Golden Gully Road, Kin Kin on Tuesday.
For more information visit the BOM and Noosa Council Disaster Dashboard at disaster.noosa.qld.gov.au
