Clean-up underway after wild weather lashes, SA and South-East leaving thousands without power
SA is still counting the cost after the recent wild weather saw roofs torn off homes, powerlines pulled down and trees falling on houses and vehicles – with the South-East hit the worst.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Many South Australians are still cleaning up after about 36,000 South Australian properties lost power during the recent wild weather, with the state’s South-East hit the worst.
Power is back on to most customers as calmer conditions returned on Tuesday but about 900 in the Adelaide Hills were still without power on Tuesday morning.
As of Monday, the SES had responded to more than 300 jobs as damaging and destructive winds swept across the state with the emergency services sending extra support to the Mount Gambier region on Monday.
Winds in excess of 100km/h brought down power lines cutting power, tore roofs of homes and ripped up trees, damaging vehicles and houses. One of the many storm victims was the cafe at the iconic Big Rocking Horse at Gumeracha, which has been forced to close for good due to the damage.
SES chief of staff Dave O’Shannessy said SES volunteers responded to 75 jobs on Father’s Day and more than 200 jobs by mid-Monday.
“I would like to recognise and thank our SES volunteers – and all volunteers – who have responded to support their local communities over the past several days,’’ he said.
“Father’s Day breakfast in bed, lunches and dinners had to be put on hold for many families of our SES volunteers on Sunday, and we are extremely grateful for their commitment.
“The support of our volunteers, their families and employers enable us to co-ordinate such a well-managed emergency response.’’
He said SES volunteers had maintained a high level of operation over the past week due to strong winds impacting wide areas across the state.
“Mount Gambier and Mount Barker Units have led from the front with our emergency response over the past 48 hours with Tea Tree Gully and Millicent Units also being kept quite busy,’’ he said.
He said extra support would be sent to Mount Gambier on Monday to give volunteers a “well-deserved rest”.
Parents’ ‘worst fears’ realised after boy left on after-school care bus
Parents at the school of the young boy found locked inside an after-school care bus have expressed their horror at the situation and revealed they’ve taken action for change.
First look inside proposed $19m girls’ school development
A new facility, complete with a performing arts theatre, cafe and gallery could be soon be built at a catholic college in Adelaide’s north east, under a bold proposal.