In a dramatic turn of events, a severe weather system has vented havoc across southeastern Australia, resulting in tragic loss and extensive damage. On Monday, a 63-year-old woman tragically lost her life when a tree fell on her cabin at a holiday park in Moama, NSW.
Her 63-year-old companion was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The woman’s identity remains unknown, and whether she was a resident or a visitor is unclear.
This catastrophic weather event has led to widespread disruptions. Cold fronts and damaging winds have battered Victoria and Tasmania overnight.
Emergency services respond to widespread damage from fierce storms across southeastern Australia, including power outages.The State Emergency Service in Victoria received an overwhelming 2,800 calls for help, with 1,452 active requests remaining as of Monday morning. Reports indicate over 1,000 fallen trees and over 350 homes damaged by the fierce winds.
Power outages have compounded the crisis, with around 25,000 people in Tasmania and 120,000 in Victoria left without electricity. The situation has led to significant damage to power infrastructure, with delays in restoration expected to last up to five days.
Emergency services are also grappling with severe flooding risks, particularly along the Derwent River in Tasmania, where flood warnings are in effect.
In Sydney, over 90 domestic flights were canceled due to high winds, and local schools have either closed or shifted to remote learning. The weather bureau recorded wind gusts reaching up to 141 km/h, and although warnings for destructive winds have been downgraded, high-risk conditions persist, including elevated fire dangers along the NSW coast.
As the severe weather system slowly moves north, authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide aid. The impacted communities face a challenging recovery as they deal with the aftermath of this powerful storm.