Tropical Cyclone Oswald: How January 2013 storms devastated Gold Coast and wreck Burleigh Pavilion

Burleigh Pavilion, one of the beachside suburb’s favourite destinations, was destroyed by some of the worst weather the Gold Coast has ever experienced. SEE WHAT REALLY HAPPENED

THE Gold Coast is no stranger to bad weather.

Cyclones have long wrought destruction up and down the coastline, with images take back in the 1890s showing the impact on Southport and its largely wooden infrastructure of the era.

In January 1967 Cyclone Dinah moved down the coastline off the Coral Sea.

While never crossing the coast, it caused havoc in Surfers Paradise where the Nerang River burst its banks.

During the 1967 storms, more than 1000mm fell on the Hinterland, while Springbrook recorded a 1631mm fall.

A Burleigh resident braved the wet weather to see the erosion. Picture: Adam Head

Nature’s fury made itself known again in 1974 when Tropical Cyclone Wanda hit, flooding 1500 homes.

More than 1250mm of rain fell on the Hinterland and the streets of Surfers Paradise.

Fast-forward to January 2013 and the Gold Coast bore the brunt of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald, which brought more than 400mm of rain and destructive high winds.

Forecasters warned of possible tornadoes strike the city.

Mayor Tom Tate urged Gold Coast residents to stay indoors. ``Get those old board games out and have some family time close together and stay indoors,’’ he told the Bulletin at the time.

A car destroyed by floodwaters that inundated the John Muntz Causeway between Upper Coomera and Mount Tamborine on the Gold Coast. (AAP Image/Ed Jackson)

More than 54,000 homes were left without power and roofs while the city’s beaches were heavily eroded. Authorities had to rescue five people from the Seawall at The Spit after they were knocked down by giant waves.

Burleigh Pavilion’s lower levels were destroyed by the high tides.

The Tweed was heavily flooded while the southern Gold Coast was dubbed a “war zone” by residents after winds of more than 90k/h tore rooves off houses and businesses, including the Coolangatta Sands Hotel.

The Burleigh Beach Pavilion was damaged and inundated with sea water. Picture: Adam Head

In the Hinterland, winds exceeding 95km/h brought trees down on eight houses. Massive gum trees on Tamborine Mountain’s Manitzky Rd were felled by the winds, damaging fences and gates.

Among those injured was 79-year-old David Rankine who received head injuries when a tree fell on him.

He has lived on the mountain for more than 30 years. His wife Joy said the weather was the worst she had seen.

``We have experienced cyclones here before and this was as bad as any,’’ she told the Bulletin at the time.

Currumbin Beach was heavily eroded. Picture: Adam Head

The heavy beach erosion sparked a bitter war of words between the council and LNP state government which refused to help fix the issue.

The council was ultimately forced to bear the cost of fixing the beaches but the bad blood did not abate in the two years before the LNP’s 2015 defeat.

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