Naracoorte cleans up after freak weather event damages hospital, aged care home

Naracoorte is picking up the pieces from an epic thunderstorm that dumped more than 70mm of rain in less than a day. But it wasn’t just that deluge that was the issue.

• Streets ‘completely underwater’ as freak thunderstorm batters town

Naracoorte is mopping up from a severe thunderstorm that dumped 50mm of rain in an hour and caused flooding through homes and businesses.

More than 70mm was dumped on the town overnight Friday to Saturday morning in a savage storm that damaged hospitals, forced two aged care residents to be moved, and flooded homes and businesses.

SES state duty officer Brenton Clarke said more than 80 volunteers responded to 80 calls for service in Naracoorte from Friday through to Saturday.

Schools and kindergartens in the area reported some minor impacts but were expected to open as usual on Monday.

Mr Clarke said the “pretty isolated” weather event slammed the town, triggering flash flooding compounded by hail.

Storms and hail in Naracoorte Picture: Facebook

He said the preceding days had been wet, leading to “particularly saturated” conditions that contributed to tree falls.

But it was the overflow from properties and yards that led to flooding through homes, businesses and hospitals.

Limestone Coast Local Health Network acting chief executive Angela Miller said Moreton Bay House and Naracoorte Hospital were affected during Friday’s severe thunderstorm.

“These are older buildings and there was some internal water damage,” she said.

“Two aged care residents have been temporarily relocated within Moreton Bay House so contractors can thoroughly repair their rooms.

“Luckily, both sites remain secure and fully functional, with no adverse impacts on patients or their care.”

Weather damage at Wild Game Wine, Naracoorte Picture: Facebook

She said the clean-up was ongoing, and thanked staff for their efforts during the storm.

“This incident illustrates exactly why we are working closely with the state government on urgently redeveloping the hospital for the community,” she said.

“Design work is well progressed and $8m has been earmarked for the first stages which are expected to commence in March 2024.”

SES crews also patched a roof damaged at a Lucindale aged care home.

Storms and hail in Naracoorte Picture: Facebook

Mr Clarke said some CFS members’ own homes were flooded as they responded to community calls for help.

Mr Clarke said the response of the crews was commendable.

While not unheard of, severe storms and weather cells such as the one to lash Naracoorte have been recorded in the region.

Mr Clarke said Port Augusta was smashed last year when about 40mm of rainfall was recorded in a day – more of half of which fell in 30 minutes.

That event logged about 100 calls for help, and was a scenario Mr Clarke said the SES was prepared for as the state moves into summer.

“We are moving into summer and the weather patterns do have a risk of some severe weather and isolated flooding,” he said.

“It’s what we prepare for.”