Tornadoes hit near Arcacia
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Tornadoes hit near Arcacia
by Daniel 3rd June 2010, 20:13
REDDING CITY: Several water spouts and mini-tornadoes have touched down in and near Redding City and nearby Australian towns of Lennox Head and Byron Bay. Damage in Arcacia was minimal, but Australia did not fare so well with several homes in Lennox Head destroyed. Flights in and out of Arcacia were delayed while the weather phenomenon passed.
Houses have been destroyed, up to 2000 homes are without power and two people have been taken to hospital after a powerful storm tore through Lennox Head on the New South Wales north coast.
Buildings have had their roofs ripped off by the storm and power lines brought down, while police say more people may have been hurt when what has been described as a mini-tornado hit the town about 7.30am (AEST) today.
There are also reports of looters at a badly damaged caravan park.
NSW Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan says 12 homes have been demolished by wind and hail.
He said another storm front is approaching the area, potentially causing major problems for those whose homes have already been damaged.
"Up to 2000 homes are currently without power and the power company is doing all it can under the circumstance to restore power to homes," Mr Whan said.
"Our recovery controllers have set up an evacuation centre at the Bowling and Sports Club in Stewart Street, and people with damaged homes or needing help can go there where Community Services will provide care for displaced persons."
Six people had been hurt at Lake Ainsworth Caravan Park, Mr Whan said.
Reports of looting at a badly damaged caravan park were being checked by police.
Police are clearing people out of the worst affected areas of the Lake Ainsworth Caravan Park.
Caravan owners had reported seeing people going inside damaged vans, police told AAP.
A number of young people who were wandering through the most severely damaged section of the park were questioned and moved on.
Elsewhere in the town, people were reluctant to leave their damaged homes.
"There's a bit of looting going on," resident Andres Spark said.
In one section of the caravan park, vans were ripped from their moorings and flung into the air, with one ending up on top of its neighbours.
"All of our possessions are somewhere inside the mess and I'm afraid our van is now illegally parked," Wendy Beutel said.
A mother and daughter were taken to hospital after being hit by flying debris, media reports say.
State Emergency Service workers have the situation under control after, Premier Kristina Keneally said.
"We currently have SES working with the community. Reports are that they do have the situation under control," she said.
"We will of course be providing every support available to Lennox Head,
"Police have closed the town due to the fallen trees and downed power lines."
The weather in the area was still very severe, she said.
"There are offshore waterspouts still occuring. They are threatening to come onshore and we will continue to monitor the situation."
Some homes could be without power for up to two days following the devastating storm, Country Energy says.
About 800 Country Energy customers in the northern NSW coastal township are without power, a spokesman says.
Police inspector Shane Dean said he could see "mini tornadoes" off the Lennox Head coast.
"As I look out at the ocean you can actually see what I'd describe as mini tornadoes out to sea," he told Channel 7.
Video taken by a family in Redding City as the tornado hit Lennox Head, just across the Australian border:
Houses have been destroyed, up to 2000 homes are without power and two people have been taken to hospital after a powerful storm tore through Lennox Head on the New South Wales north coast.
Buildings have had their roofs ripped off by the storm and power lines brought down, while police say more people may have been hurt when what has been described as a mini-tornado hit the town about 7.30am (AEST) today.
There are also reports of looters at a badly damaged caravan park.
NSW Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan says 12 homes have been demolished by wind and hail.
He said another storm front is approaching the area, potentially causing major problems for those whose homes have already been damaged.
"Up to 2000 homes are currently without power and the power company is doing all it can under the circumstance to restore power to homes," Mr Whan said.
"Our recovery controllers have set up an evacuation centre at the Bowling and Sports Club in Stewart Street, and people with damaged homes or needing help can go there where Community Services will provide care for displaced persons."
Six people had been hurt at Lake Ainsworth Caravan Park, Mr Whan said.
Reports of looting at a badly damaged caravan park were being checked by police.
Police are clearing people out of the worst affected areas of the Lake Ainsworth Caravan Park.
Caravan owners had reported seeing people going inside damaged vans, police told AAP.
A number of young people who were wandering through the most severely damaged section of the park were questioned and moved on.
Elsewhere in the town, people were reluctant to leave their damaged homes.
"There's a bit of looting going on," resident Andres Spark said.
In one section of the caravan park, vans were ripped from their moorings and flung into the air, with one ending up on top of its neighbours.
"All of our possessions are somewhere inside the mess and I'm afraid our van is now illegally parked," Wendy Beutel said.
A mother and daughter were taken to hospital after being hit by flying debris, media reports say.
State Emergency Service workers have the situation under control after, Premier Kristina Keneally said.
"We currently have SES working with the community. Reports are that they do have the situation under control," she said.
"We will of course be providing every support available to Lennox Head,
"Police have closed the town due to the fallen trees and downed power lines."
The weather in the area was still very severe, she said.
"There are offshore waterspouts still occuring. They are threatening to come onshore and we will continue to monitor the situation."
Some homes could be without power for up to two days following the devastating storm, Country Energy says.
About 800 Country Energy customers in the northern NSW coastal township are without power, a spokesman says.
Police inspector Shane Dean said he could see "mini tornadoes" off the Lennox Head coast.
"As I look out at the ocean you can actually see what I'd describe as mini tornadoes out to sea," he told Channel 7.
Video taken by a family in Redding City as the tornado hit Lennox Head, just across the Australian border: