Inside a modest hall in Jimboomba, north-west Queensland’s Gold Coast, Sarah Weir offers a respite from the heatsoda and food, wifi, and even her shoulder to cry on.
“There were a few tears,” she says.
“But at the same time, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else during a disaster.”
The town is one of several in south-east Queensland that was ravaged by storms and flash floods over Christmas and Boxing Day. Seven people died, hundreds of homes were damaged and power outages affected thousands more. Now, residents are sweltering through a heat wave, many without the comfort of fans or air conditioning due to the lack of electricity.
According to the Bureau of Meteorologymore storms are forecast to hit the region on Saturday, with the possibility of damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding from late morning.
As of Friday afternoon, 27,400 properties across the south-east still had power restored, including almost 2,000 in Jimboomba, where temperatures soared to 38C.
When Weir learned the Jimboomba Community and District Hall had power, she asked the local Rotary Club if she could turn it into a temporary shelter for those without it. Since then, hundreds have passed through its doors.
“Some people drop in just to grab food and water and some relief from the heat, others stay most of the day,” she says.
Weir says the majority of people who visited the hall were older residents who escaped the heat as well as some families with small children whose homes were significantly damaged by the storm.
Others used the hall’s wifi to connect with friends and family abroad during the festive period.
“People have family interstate or overseas that they haven’t been able to contact to let them know they’re OK,” Weir says.
Queensland Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd visited Jimboomba on Friday and said it was one of the “hardest hit” by the “ferocious” storms.
“We have field crews working around the clock right now to restore power as soon as possible,” she said.
Boyd said she was confident 90% of properties in the area would have electricity restored by New Year’s Eve, but the remaining 10% of properties – mainly in Jimboomba and Tamborine Mountain – could wait longer.
“Network recovery there will take time. Energex aims to restore power to all customers in these communities… by tomorrow [Saturday] night,” she said.
‘Shock at the extent of the damage’
Joshua Kerswill of Energex described the storm as unprecedented for the region.
“The scale that we’re dealing with here in the southeast, to me, is probably equivalent to twice what Cyclone Yasi brought out,” he said of the 2011 disaster that left 150,000 homes without electricity.
“It is widespread, it covers a large populated area. Everyone who works here is quite shocked by the extent of the damage.”
Logan City Councilman Scott Bannan said he expected the cleanup to take months and urged residents not to overexert themselves in the heat.
“The cleaning can wait,” he said.
“Especially the older guys, I’m really worried that they overdo it with the cleaning when it’s so hot outside and there’s no respite inside.”
He said the community had worked together to clear fallen trees and other debris from driveways to ensure people could leave their properties, and was now working to clear the main roads.
“The community is fantastic. For some people who have just moved into the area it has come as a bit of a shock, but for those of us who have been here for a while – it’s just a matter of getting shit done,” he said. .
“Whether it’s fires or floods – neighbors here roll up their sleeves, they help each other, share machines. You really see the best in people.”
Bannon said he organized a barbecue for Friday afternoon as a thank you to the community. With a little help from Weir, makeshift washing machines and showers were set up and 500 sausages, 200 steaks and “a bit of salad” were distributed.
“I felt a bit useless because I broke my leg, I was jumping around on crutches to try to help but not really [been able to] so i organized a braai. It will be a big feed and an hour off for a bit of a break,” he said.
Woodhill rural fire station also allowed members of the public to use their bathrooms, while Bannan said people with power had opened their homes for people to shower, store medication and charge phones.
Boyd urged local residents to heed warnings as more wild weather approaches.
“We’re not too sure exactly what the storms will bring upon us,” she said.
“But one thing I know for sure is that we have the best response.”
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