SES cleanup taking place near at Moruya Golf Club. Photo: Alex Rea.
2020, the year that never stops giving, has had a last hurrah in the Eurobodalla, where a storm described by locals as “a supercell” belted the community late on Boxing Day.
There’s extensive damage in some areas and George Bass Drive has been closed to motorists after the wild weather lifted the bitumen seal completely off the road on George Bass Drive at Guerilla Bay.
Eurobodalla Shire Council has asked motorists to avoid the area and if that’s not possible, to drive at under 40km/h.
There are reports of multiple fallen trees including large elms in Moruya and other areas, creating hazards near roads. Drains bubbled up in Church Street and power lines were down in Vulcan Street in the storm’s immediate aftermath. The SES attended a number of incidents in town.
Flooding across Vulcan Street, Moruya. Photo: Alex Rea.
Elsewhere there were reports of hail at golf ball size near Tuross, where there was also flooding through the caravan park.
Guerrilla Bay resident Magella Blink described “upstairs windows shaking like crazy, lashed by hail and the ferocious storm winds. Sudden, loud and furious. Large trees down, plants shredded into mulch”, while Brad McLean said “Car dinged up and 5 broken windows on house at Trunketabella”.
Fallen trees blocked roads across the region in the storm’s aftermath. Photo: Karyn Starmer.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned late yesterday that severe thunderstorms were likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding for a widespread area from Bowral to Eden and Bega and into the Central West.
The Batemans Bay SES also reported multiple calls as a result of the storm. “Just letting everyone know that we have received your calls for assistance but are asking for patience as we work through the many jobs that we have received from the weather event that occurred last night.
“Be rest assured that we will get to you. We thank you for your co-operation and understanding”, they said.
Flooding outside the Moruya Medical Centre. Photo: Alex Rea.
The Bureau of Meteorology says that following the Boxing Day storms, further wild weather is forecast to continue but on a more limited basis that’s unlikely to heavily impact the South East. The focus is likely to be further north and west, extending into the Southern Highlands, the Bureau’s duty forecaster says.
“Severe storms will be limited to smaller areas, with damaging winds, large hail and rain forecast for Monday”, the Bureau says. The Capital Region as a whole, including Canberra and the Tablelands, will feel the impact of a South Easterly change that should arrive early in the day.
Damage can be reported to Eurobodalla Council’s after hours number 1800 755 760.
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