Damage bill rises in Fernvale after supercell storm

THE damage bill from the Fernvale storm is rising with seven homes now declared unsafe, a further 13 assessed as having moderate damage and 63 with minor damage

THE damage bill from the Fernvale storm on Tuesday is rising with seven homes now declared structurally unsafe, a further 13 assessed as having moderate damage and 63 with minor damage.

A Rapid Damage Assessment team deployed on Wednesday morning to access the damage is close to completing inspections in the region.

More than 150 calls for assistance were logged through the incident command centre.

Energex said crews had restored power to all homes this morning affected by the storm. Crews had restored power to Fernvale CBD and nearby Honeywood Estate and were working to restore power to about 550 homes yesterday.

Council crews were out again today together with various emergency services following up on recovery efforts with the priority being on cleaning up major roads for the safety of users.

Residents impacted by the stormcell that passed through parts of Somerset on Tuesday, 27 October 2015 can place storm debris on their kerb for collection by Council.

Thank you Trent for sharing this awesome video. Taken at Fernvale.

Posted by Higgins Storm Chasing on Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Somerset Regional Council has asked residents place debris in two separate piles, one for green waste and another pile for general storm damaged household waste.

Somerset Mayor Graeme Lehmann said crews would complete multiple kerbside collections over the coming
fortnight.

"We will advise residents when the last collection will be, unfortunately it's too early to know when this final collection will be as we have not started collecting kerbside rubbish," Cr Lehmann said.

"Our priority at the moment is removing debris from roads and public infrastructure for the safety of the public. Once this is completed, we will start collecting kerbside rubbish."

Alternatively residents can dispose of green waste for free at the Coominya Refuse site on Wills Road.

There are 10 Volunteer Community Educators doorknocking homes across the supercell affected area to check on
the welfare of residents and keep them informed.

Residents who would like to make contributions of goods or cash donations are asked to go through Givit (Goods for Good Causes) - www.givit.org.au

GIVIT CEO Juliette Wright said the organisation was working with Somerset Regional Council and front line services in Fernvale to identify the exact needs of affected residents and would be listing them on their website.

"For some this will be a long recovery process and GIVIT will be working to help residents rebuild their homes," she said.

"We know Australians are incredibly generous and will want to help those families severely impacted by the sudden storm."

After the storm

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