Coffs Harbour hailstorm: SES and the saving of a city | photos

Here’s the backstory to the people who rallied when Toormina and Sawtell were getting decimated by a supercell hailstorm. They’re actually kind of ordinary folk - with a difference.

When Coffs Harbour was shredded by a freak supercell hailstorm, residents were understandably stunned by the widespread disastrous damage to homes, businesses and vehicles.

As the ice shards tore down, many cowered in whatever safe structure they could find.

The women and men in the bright orange garb of the State Emergency Service (SES) - volunteers - swung into action.

On the back of that response - particularly in the hard-hit suburbs of Toormina and Sawtell - the Coffs Harbour unit earned the title of the busiest in the state for 2021.

SES Coffs Harbour rescue team leader Alex Wilson noted the unit attended more than 1500 jobs last year - and even with 100 members on their books the October storms (1253 jobs alone) exceeded the local squad’s capacity.

“The first call through was Toormina Gardens (a large shopping centre) and that was a rescue job so it had priority,” Mr Wilson said.

SES Coffs Harbour unit was the busiest in NSW last year. Picture: Chris Knight

“The calls soon started flooding in, with water egress to homes mainly as skylights were broken and gutters filled with hail.

“Within an hour the number of jobs was overwhelming.”

The SES command chain widened the response army - scrambling units from across the Mid-North Coast and then from throughout the zone from Newcastle to Tweed Heads.

SES Coffs Harbour unit has taken delivery of a brand new truck with equipment for all expected situations. Picture: Chris Knight

Coffs Harbour volunteers - with their intimate knowledge of the area, were key as part of an incident management team.

“It was 10 days of going hard until we’d got on top of the jobs,” Mr Wilson said.

We caught up with some of the local SES volunteers to find out what drives them.

Luke Nowaczek

Member: Couple of months.

Day job: Optical dispenser.

Motivation to volunteer: “It’s a bit exciting. It gives a bit of meaning to your life.”

Nikki Crowley

Member: Almost a year.

Day job: Manager client services at Southern Cross University.

Motivation to volunteer: “I’ve been involved in a number of incidents (before the SES) and managed to help out. I’m a mum of three and see it as being a role model. I hate sitting back.”

Greg Winnacott

Member: Served for 13 years from back in the ’80s and has recently rejoined.

Day job: Work, health and safety for Mid North Coast health district.

Motivation to volunteer: “There’s been lots of changes in the SES. I remember when we used to run meat raffles in the mall but now all the equipment is funded. I love learning new skills like vertical rescue and dropping over a cliff.”

Shakyra Griffiths

Member: Three-and-a-half years.

Day job: St John Paul College and also as a disability support worker.

Motivation to volunteer: “My mum’s coming up to 30 years’ service (in the SES). I’ve actually grown up with the service.”

David Juchau

Member: Just over a year.

Day job: Semi-retired.

Motivation to volunteer: “I’m married to the SES now. When I moved here it was just a way of getting into the community. Plus, I like the colour orange.”

Lee Varney

Member: Three years.

Day job: Owns a computer business and a retained firefighter with Fire & Rescue NSW.

Motivation to volunteer: “I have friends in the SES and it’s just about helping the community.”

Adam Mitchell

Member: 10 months.

Day job: Chemist and truck driver.

Motivation to volunteer: “I like helping the community and at training you meet fantastic people.”

Mr Wilson said Mr Mitchell had “undersold” himself. “He’s been a really active member who has jumped on all the storm callouts. His upfront commitment has been high.”

Susan Perry

Member: Four years.

Day job: Retired.

Motivation to volunteer: “When I was planning my retirement I was looking to do something for the community. I like meeting great people and going on out-of-area deployments.”

Michael Jarvis

Member: 27 years.

Day job: Business owner, Woolworths online shopping.

Motivation to volunteer: “I originally joined because I was looking for something to do. You meet other people and learn skills. I spent the last three years as the unit training co-ordinator.”

Steven Perry

Member: Five-and-a-half years.

Day job: “Trainee retiree.”

Motivation to volunteer: “I knew retrenchment was coming and I wanted to give something back. When there’s a big incident, everyone comes together, with crews from all over the place.”

Simon O’Brien

Member: Just over a year.

Day job: CFD index trader (on the sharemarket).

Motivation to volunteer: “I just wanted to meet a decent bunch of people and to help others.”

Alex Wilson

Member: Almost five years.

Day job: Construction project manager at Coffs Harbour Hospital.

Motivation to volunteer: “I was living at the Northern Beaches in Sydney and when an East Coast Low hit I just wanted to get out and help. I’ve moved here now and become involved in rescue.”

* The SES Coffs Harbour unit trains weekly on Tuesdays. Anyone interested in joining should visit ses.nsw.gov.au.