Tens of thousands still without power as storms subside and clean up continues

Tens of thousands of homes are still without power as heatwave warnings loom over a storm-battered state.

Nearly 40 per cent of homes affected by the Christmas storms in Queensland’s southeast are still without power, as forecasters warn heatwave conditions are in full force.

At least 10 people were killed in Queensland and Victoria over the Christmas and Boxing Day holidays following powerful storms, including a nine-year-old girl.

Len la Tours house was totally destroyed by deadly storms over the holidays in south-east Queensland. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Emergency crews were battling on Thursday to restore power to critical infrastructure after winds felled more than 900 powerlines – including 600 on the Gold Coast.

There were more than 42,000 residences and business still without power at 3.30pm on Thursday, three days since the storms rolled through.

Fallen power lines and poles at Eagle Heights, Mt Tambourine after Christmas night storm. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Fallen trees were also seen Burleigh Waters on the Gold Coast. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Those impacted by power outages will now be able learn when they’ll be able to get power back by checking the Energex website for its recovery plan and prepare accordingly.

“This is an unprecedented task ahead for our Energex staff but they’re up to the challenge,” Queensland’s Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said.

“(Energex staff) have achieved 63 per cent power restoration to those in affected areas as of this morning.

“By the evening of December 30, we aim to have 80 per cent of power resupplied. 

“By the end of December 31 we aim to have 90 per cent with power.”

But for those remaining 10 per cent without power, which Energex estimates is up to 8000 customers, it could be weeks without electricity as Energex crews work on repairing damaged infrastructure.

Fallen power lines and power poles are making the clean-up significantly more difficult. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

The Mt Tamborine and Jimboomba areas were significantly damaged during the storms, with many homes and businesses still without power.

Energex crews are still assessing the damage, but major power systems were completely destroyed in the storm.

“The damage is so significant that we’ll have to rebuild the power systems,” Mr de Brenni said. 

Energex general manager Kevin Lavender said there were 500 field officers operating on the ground on Thursday to continue to assess those affected areas but warned there was “significant damage” to many suburbs, including Mt Tamborine and Jimboomba.

Fallen trees have caused traffic and pedestrian at Burleigh Waters on the Gold Coast after a massive storm swept through Christmas Night. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

He said crews will be moved into to those areas and live there till the job was finished. 

Federal Emergency Management minister Murray Watt said 14 suburbs in Logan, four suburbs in the Scenic Rim and Tallai on the Gold Coast have now had emergency funding activated so eligible residents can access financial hardship grants. 

Mr Watt said low to middle income households who will be out of pocket restoring power will also be eligible for up to $5000 in personal hardship grants. 

Since ex-Cyclone Jasper caused havoc in far north Queensland before Christmas, there have been 30,0000 applications made for grants in Queensland 

Federal emergency management minister Murray Watt says residents impacted by the Christmas Day storms are eligible for funding. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Aisling Brennan

Mr de Brennis said the southeast was facing a “mammoth clean-up” following the storms. 

“We urge those of you who are rolling up your sleeves and supporting that effort to triple check and look for downed power lines,” he said.

“Assume those lines are live.

“If you’ve had storm damage to your home and your power is out please check you power box.

“Energex are getting more support over the coming days.”

Mr Watt said there were 28 Telstra base stations offline at 9am on Thursday.

“Which is an improvement from yesterday when it was 55,” he said.

It comes as the Bureau of Meteorology warns large swathes of the country to brace for potential heatwave conditions, with the extreme temperatures forecast for the north.

Much of the state’s centre is set to swelter through severe heatwave conditions from Thursday-Sunday, with the Gold Coast and the southeast to see low-intensity heatwaves.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the main message for residents over the coming days was to stay cool.

“If you know of your neighbour, check on them,” Mr Tate said.

“We want to know about anyone who is at real risk during the possible heatwave.”

Gold Coast libraries and aquatic centres are open for free to residents trying to escape the heat.

However, Mr Tate warned people to avoid swimming in creeks, including Tallebudgera Creek, due to potential sewerage and backwash from stormwater drains.

“Go to open water and swim between the flags,” he said.

Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt warned people to also keep an eye on family and neighbours as the hot weather intensifies.

“It’s only just at the start of summer, we’re likely to see extreme weather over the next weeks and months,” he said.

South East Queensland’s state hospitals are on code brown ahead of the heatwave, with staff recalled early from leave to assist with patients.

BOM warnings for heatwaves in QLD. Picture: Supplied

The government has been faced with a “unprecedented” recovery effort following storms which destroyed homes and flooded swathes of the state’s most populous areas.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said officers were working with other agencies to ensure everyone remained safe, especially as Far North Queensland continues its clean-up after Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

“We’ve never seen anything like this in this part of the world,” she said.

“We’ve never seen such two horrific disasters in the opposite ends of the state.

“It’s been challenging.”

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll urged people to reconsider travelling to places affected by the storm if they’re just going to take photos. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Aisling Brennan

Ms Carroll urged people to stay away from disaster areas as the recovery continues, especially anyone who is just visiting to take photos for social media.

“If you should not be there, please do not be there,” she said.

“You are taking resources away from where they need to be. Don’t got to those places, it’s a hindrance.”

Mr Tate told the media on Wednesday that the region had been battered by wind speeds exceeding 100km/h and comparable to those of a category 2 cyclone.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate urged people to check on their neighbours. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Aisling Brennan

Speaking on the recovery effort, Mr Tate criticised the Bureau of Meteorology for the timing of its storm warnings and said residents would be eligible for financial assistance.

Provided by the state government, the personal hardship grants will be $180 for individual residents and $900 for families affected by the Christmas and Boxing Day storms.

Emergency crews were also reportedly being brought in from NSW to assist in the recovery effort, with energy supplier Energex scrambling to repair damaged power lines.