New map shows where the most intense property damage occurred in Christmas Eve super storm
The full toll of the Christmas “tornado” that ripped through the Gold Coast has been revealed - along with the path and worst damaged zones. Check out the astounding numbers.
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The Gold Coast’s cyclonic Christmas destroyed four homes, “severely damaged” 105 properties, impacted 700 others and requires 1000 street clean ups, it can be revealed.
All up 600km of public roads were impacted across 24 suburbs.
The full toll was unveiled in a close-door briefing to councillors with mapping showing the worst damage through a tight northern suburbs corridor as the super cell tore across the M1.
It shows the extreme weather began building at Oxenford-Pacific Pines west of the Pacific Motorway, peaking at Helensvale where residential homes were smashed by large uprooted trees.
The area to the suburb’s immediate east, Coombabah Wetlands saw extensive damage to bushland and its popular boardwalk.
Homes and units were smashed north of Brisbane Road at Biggera Waters, and further north to Runaway Bay and Paradise Point, mapping shows.
City councillors, in a closed doors briefing, were made aware of mapping detailing residential property damage and doorknocking by council officers.
The graphic backs up recent weather analysis suggesting a 3km-4km wide pathway of 165km/h winds through the Gold Coast’s north.
It does not cover severe damage to Mount Tamborine homes in the Scenic Rim or further west to Jimboomba where the tornado-likened weather event first wreaked havoc.
The City says more than 1000 streets in 24 suburbs are getting kerbside collection, covering 600km of public roads.
A City spokesperson said the Christmas night storm and subsequent weather events destroyed four houses with 105 properties severely impacted including houses, business and schools.
About 325 properties have moderate damage and 386 properties recorded minor damage.
Southern suburbs west of the M1 received some property damage, but the heavily populated coastal strip from Surfers Paradise south to Burleigh and Coolangatta “dodged a bullet”.
Pacific Pines-based councillor Peter Young in updating residents said the coloured “heat map” outlines the damage assessment by Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.
“They have inspected thousands of buildings and made determinations about the safety of them. From these images we can clearly see the concentration of storm damage,” he said.
Cr Young said the mapping also detailed council officer door knocking to residents in isolated rural and hinterland areas.
“The maps also show community hubs established in such quick time, providing comfort and assistance to thousands. This is in addition to the extended opening of pools and libraries to provide relief,” he said.
The Bulletin understands the map does not include recent City staffer door knocking.
“The map in question was produced at a point in time and was intended to provide an indication of only some of the relief activities and assessment activities conducted to date,” a City spokesperson said.
“Door knocking in particular is still being undertaken and other relief activities such as recovery hubs will continue to be provided to meet the disaster needs that are identified. “The disaster response and recovery has been a multi-agency effort and the provided map only shows a very small component.”
Mudgeeraba-based councillor Glenn Tozer, at the briefing also updated residents, saying he was pleased with door knocking in Division 9.
“You will see on this graphic we’ve worked really hard to ensure damage assessment, door knocking and response has been deployed the areas on the city most impacted by the storm,” he said.
Cr Shelley Curtis, appointed in Division 4 after Cameron Caldwell left for federal politics in August last year, told residents her office is open and working hard to identify heavily impacted streets.
“Online material is being prepared and will be distributed throughout the division via posters, flyers and targeted door knocking
“As I have throughout this response, I am calling on our community to connect with neighbours and share these important updates.
No one left behind,” she said.
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