Gold Coast weather: BIG4 holiday park obliterated leaving guests stranded

Families say they are still shaking after their Gold Coast holiday came to a ‘hellish end’

THE WRIGHT family say they are still shaking after their Helensvale holiday came to a “hellish end”.

Tracy, Damien, Zariah, Mason and Tyson were enjoying their first holiday at BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park in Helensvale. But at 2am devastating flash flooding obliterated their caravan site.

The epic downpour destroyed cars and caravans at the holiday park and along Siganto Drive.

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According to the weather bureau, the area received more than 200mm of rain in three hours. Nearby theme parks Movie World and Wet ‘n’ Wild were closed due to extensive flooding.

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park guests were trapped due to rising flood water. Photo: Supplied

Damien Wright said his family were alarmed by the sound of “terrifying rain”.

“We were lucky,” he said.

“I quickly got my wife and three kids out, plus the car and caravan,” he said.

“At first, the water was at my knees but it kept rising quickly.

“When the nearby creek was at high tide, the water was at the top of roofs.

“I had to go back and start getting people out. I wanted to save as many caravans as I could.”

Guests say the experience was terrifying and heartbreaking. Photo: Supplied.

Mr Wright said he started frantically knocking on doors.

“Some people couldn’t get out of the park in time and they lost everything,” he said.

“It’s been a hellish end to our holiday. We’re leaving today just in case the weather turns.

“Cars and caravans are being taken to the dump this morning. It’s honestly heartbreaking.

“Who would have thought one of our most precious resources can also be one of our most dangerous?”

L to R: Tracy Wright, Damien Wright and Zariah Wright from Noosa. Photo: Rosemary Ball

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Sydney’s Craig Butchers, wife Abby, and children Emily and Mason said they were sleeping during the wild weather.

“If it wasn’t for Damien knocking on our caravan we would of lost everything,” Mr Craig Butchers said.

“We got out and another 10 (caravans) did too. Others didn’t and they lost everything. We’re all still really shaken up.”

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park general manager Andrew Hewitt said: “Everyone has been a great help, both staff and guests. We all pitched in and made the most out of a bad situation.”