Storm tears through Katherine causing significant damage to Manbulloo Homestead

A ‘catastrophic’ storm tore through a caravan park on the outskirts of Katherine, crushing cars, cabins and caravans in its path. See the photos.

Storm damage at Manbulloo Homestead Caravan Park, Katherine. Picture: Jo Hersey

A brutal storm that rolled through the outskirts of Katherine overnight has left a trail of crushed cars crushing cars, trailers and caravans at a local caravan park.

Stephanie Hill, co-owner of Manbulloo Homestead, spoke with this masthead about the damage.

“It was a short, sharp storm that came through in the middle of the night,” Ms Hill said.

Many vehicles were damaged by the storm at Manbulloo Homestead Caravan Park, Katherine. Picture: Jo Hersey

“There was not much rain, but the intensity of the noise – thunder cracking and wind blowing – woke us up.”

Senior Meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology Sally Cutter said the storm doubled in speed near Katherine.

“When it got close to Katherine it sped up from 20 knots to 40 knots,” Ms Cutter said.

“As the storm accelerated, there was an increase in significant wind gusts.

“A combination of factors caused the severe damage: significant wind gusts with quite wet ground from recent rains.”

Wet ground and strong wind gust combined to fell trees easily, the Bureau said. Picture: Jo Hersey

Ms Cutter said this combination meant trees fell more easily.

Mrs Hill said there were no injuries, but significant damage to property.

“One of our cabins was completely destroyed,” Ms Hill said.

“Three tenants had damage to their caravans, and five cars were also damaged in the storm.”

At least four caravans were damaged in the storm. Picture: Jo Hersey

Ms Hill said they were still assessing damage to the property, with parts inaccessible due to fallen trees.

“We’re just getting on with doing what we can.”

The local emergency services were unable to assist Mr and Mrs Hill with the clean up.

Local member Jo Hersey took to Facebook to share the “horrific” damage.

Ms Hill said a cabin was also damaged. Picture: Jo Hersey

“Overnight Manbulloo Homestead had a horrific storm go through leaving tenants homeless and some without cars,” Ms Hersey said.

“The force of Mother Nature has been catastrophic for some tenants at a time of the year when we should be celebrating.”

Katherine Mayor Lis Clark said while there were one or two toppled trees closer to the township and the roads were dotted with leaves and small branches, it was nothing like the scale of destruction seen at Manbulloo.

Ms Clark said Katherine had historically been prone to short, sharp storms of surprising intensity, referencing the New Year’s Eve storm last year that likewise left a concentrated zone of destruction in its wake.

– With additional reporting by Alex Treacy.