Northern beaches: One dead, two critical after violent storm
One woman died and another two were critically injured when a freak storm battered the northern beaches on Sunday, but authorities have said things could have been far more grim.
Manly
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The death and injury toll in the freak storm that smashed the the northern beaches yesterday could have been much higher with a number of “near misses”, emergency services said on Monday.
While one woman was killed when she was struck by a falling tree that “snapped like a matchstick” in the fierce winds, and two others were critically injured, no other person was taken to hospital.
NSW Ambulance Superintendent Paul Edwards said a number of people were treated by paramedics for bruising after being hit by flying debris, but no patients needed hospital care.
“The workload during this period was high, but fortunately a lot of people had near misses,” Supt Edwards said.
“They were minor injuries. They didn’t require transport.
“We had a lot of people hit with flying debris who had a lot of bruises and cuts who were assessed (but) those people did not require treatment.”
Supt Edwards was speaking at a press conference outside Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club along with senior police, State Emergency Service, NSW Fire and Rescue and NSW Surf Life Saving officials, updating the community on the storm clean-up.
Donna Wishart from SLSNSW revealed that the ages of the volunteer lifesavers, on patrol at Narrabeen Beach when the storm struck and rushed to help the women hit by the falling tree ranged in age from 15 years to old to their early 60s.
Ms Wishart said the volunteers, along with council lifesavers, were the first people to reach the injured women.
“Sadly they were unable to help the woman who was deceased,” Ms Wishart said.
The Manly Daily understands the woman who was killed had been attending a picnic on the grassed area next to the surf club.
It was an annual get together by resident who live in an apartment block in nearby Albert St.
A neighbour said the woman may have left the picnic when the weather turned foul and was struck.
“I speak for everyone who was on patrol yesterday that we are deeply saddened there wasn’t a better outcome....all that was possible was done...we were glad we were able to provide some sort of assistance.”
Tracey Hare-Boyd, president of the Northern Beaches branch of SLSNSW said a female officer took control of the scene, moved onlookers away and called through that there were downed powerlines.
“No CPR was given to anyone, there was no need,” Ms Hare-Boyd said.
“It was obvious there was a fatality. There was a need to just assist with first aid and reassure the other casualties until the ambulance service came.
“My heart goes out to (the volunteers). You can never train anyone enough for the scenes, what they saw yesterday, what they had to do.”
Ms Hare-Boyd said a 15-year-old volunteer lifesaver was involved in the first aid treatment, along with his father.
Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Andy Holland told the media that Dee Why to Narrabeen took the brunt of the “micro storm”.
He said the 71-year-old old woman who survived the tree fall will be having surgery on Monday afternoon at Royal North Shore Hospital.
“Our biggest concern at the moment is that there are still 26,000 premises without power,” Acting Asst Comm Holland said.
SES Superintendent Stewart Fisher said the agency fielded 550 calls for assistance and about 40 crews from the SES, Rural Fire Service, council and NSW Fire and Rescue were still out in the field.
“The main damage was trees and powerlines down,” Supt Fisher said.
“A number of places in Dee Why had their roofs taken off.
He said a relatively small number of residents have had to leave their homes - five to 10 properties, mainly units at Dee Why.
EARLIER
“Three minutes of utter mayhem”.
That’s how former Olympic sailor Gary Gietz described the deadly storm that tore up the northern beaches on Sunday afternoon killing one and critically injuring at least two others.
“It came through at 130 to 140 km/h, I reckon,” said the Collaroy Plateau resident.
“I don’t know if it was a tornado but it was tornado strength. It was incredible.
“We have no power and I have never heard so many sirens in my life.”
Gietz said he didn’t believe there was anyone injured in his area, but said it was extremely chaotic.
“No one appears hurt here (in Collaroy Plateau) but there’s damage. A lot of trees down. People have saws and they are trying to clear the road,” he said.
“It only lasted for three minutes. The rain was coming sideways and the branches were flying everywhere. It was three minutes of mayhem.”
The storm was described as “short, sharp and savage” with police confirming one person had been killed and at least two others critically injured.
It hit just before 4pm and within 30 minutes had blown out to sea.
As reports continue to come in, locals have taken to social media to show the havoc.
“There was heavy rain lightning, very strong winds, it was savage wind,’’ said Manly resident Margie McDonald.
“The rain was heavy, I though it might be hail. It was a long time coming, You could see it get very dark.
“The wind got stronger and it just got darker.
“Then lightning and thunder and very quickly; it blew away.
“It was short sharp and savage.’’
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Huge storm cell just rushed through Narrabeen on Sydney’s northern beaches. Trees are down everywhere, traffic lights and blackouts everywhere. Gusts were ferocious. pic.twitter.com/JXaIhAG8Hq
— Luke Hopewell (@lukehopewell) December 19, 2021
NORTHERN BEACHES (SYD) | A major storm has hit Sydney’s Nth Beaches. Multiple agencies are attending a serious incident in Narrabeen as well as multiple #FRNSW crews dealing with trees and powerlines down across suburbs from Foresville to Mona Vale.
— Fire and Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) December 19, 2021
.@Ausgrid reporting over 20,000 homes without power on Sydney’s northern beaches where the storm hit. pic.twitter.com/ShDl4Jftzl
— Luke Hopewell (@lukehopewell) December 19, 2021
Police and emergency services are responding to multiple requests from the community for assistance following a severe storm on the Northern Beaches.
— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) December 19, 2021
The community is urged to delay all non-urgent travel at this time.
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