‘Mini tornado’ rocks remote NT community Willowra
Emergency service volunteers have been deployed to a remote Northern Territory community after a “mini tornado” caused chaos. See the photos of the damage.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Residents in the remote Central Desert region have been the unlucky victims of a “mini tornado” that left chaos across a community.
Willowra, located about 300km north of Alice Springs, was hit by a large storm cell about 5.30pm on Tuesday.
St John NT operations manager Craig Garraway told ABC radio that emergency services attended to one injured resident in the community.
“We have reports of a mini tornado going through there causing quite substantial damage, removing roofs off houses (and bringing) trees down on vehicles,” Mr Garraway said.
“(There was) a fair bit of rain there and a little bit of flooding.
“My understanding there after we spoke with the health link is that their vehicle had been damaged by a tree.
“We had an 18-year-old male there where a beam had fallen on his leg.
“Thankfully (it caused) only bruising and they were able to manage that out there.”
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning, with the possibility of damaging winds and large hailstones, for the area from 3.30pm.
A BOM spokesman said the weather agency was then alerted by emergency services of a “tornado” causing damage to the Tanami district.
Police say the storm lasted about 15 minutes and brought on 2.5cm of rain within that time.
“Power was isolated to a number of residences due to power line damage and an inundation of water,” NTES Manager of Southern Command Ian Carlton said.
“Additional resourcing from police and the Alice Springs emergency service volunteers have also been deployed to the community to assist with the response.
“Severe weather in the NT can intensify and shift direction quickly.
“Events like this are a good reminder to Territorians to check their emergency plan and cyclone kits.”
BOM meteorologist Rebecca Patrick said accurate conditions of the storm are hard to quantify due to the community’s remote location, but the event is not uncommon for the NT at this time of the year.
“There was a trough moving through the area yesterday and we had north-westerly winds ahead of that which brought some moisture down from the north,” Miss Patrick said.
“Those conditions always help create a favourable environment for thunderstorm activity.
“There was quite a widespread area of thunderstorm activity across the Barkly, Tanami and Simpson districts throughout much of the day and we even had some storms still going there this morning (Wednesday).”
In 2019, a 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Tanami Desert, which was felt by Willowra residents about 100km away.
More Coverage
Originally published as ‘Mini tornado’ rocks remote NT community Willowra
Exposed: Teen hoon had 85 ‘occurrences’ with police before allegedly ramming cop car
The NT News can reveal the amount of ‘occurrences’ a group of youth offenders had with police before they allegedly rammed into them with stolen cars in Alice Springs. Find out more.
A watchful eye: How Border Force is combating drug cartels in Northern Australia
As drug cartels become craftier, the challenge to protect the nation becomes more difficult. See how Border Force officers operate in the Top End at sea and on land.
East Arnhem CEO holds grave fears new Groote council will be a puppet
The CEO of East Arnhem Regional Council, which will hand over the Groote Archipelago to a newly created council later this year, fears government underfunding will lead the new body into the arms of a controversial land council.
Brutal killings and mysteries: Crimes that shocked the Red Centre
From gruesome deaths, suicide missions and a missing body, here’s a look at the crimes that rocked the Red Centre and fascinated the world for all the wrong reasons.
‘See some records broken’: First medals given out as ‘Games with Heart’ kicks off
One of the biggest weeks on the Red Centre sporting calendar is underway in full force, drawing thousands of competitors – some of whom have already taken out the top prize. SEE THE PICTURES.
Fire fears as heritage-listed mural sits forgotten after $3m acquisition
A fire danger period being declared hasn’t spurred the government into action over a site it acquired for more than $3 million – leading to fears an important piece of NT heritage could be reduced to ash.