Friday, December 09, 2005
Power restored after intense SE Qld storms
Energex crews have worked through the night restoring power to thousands of consumers in south-east Queensland affected by yesterday's storm.
Destructive winds and almost 3,000 lightning strikes saw at least 80,000 consumers lose power.
Around 150 customers in the Gold Coast, Beenleigh, Logan areas are still without power.
Brian Rolstone from the Weather Bureau says the storm was intense.
"The maximum wind gusts reported around the Brisbane area was 110 kilometres estimated at Mt Gravatt and about 90 kms an hour at Archerfield and Cleveland, so it was a rapidly moving system," he said.
Barry Pearce from the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service says it was a hectic night for emergency crews.
"We had a life rescue on the building in the city," he said, referring to the rescue of two window-washers who became stranded near the 30th floor of the Riparian Plaza in Eagle Street.
"At the same time, we had a house fire, we had multiple motor vehicle accidents with persons trapped and trees into houses, trees across roadways and a couple of houses with their roofs removed."
The storm season is providing a challenge for Energex.
Spokesman Graham Metcalfe says the south-east Queensland region has already experienced the same number of storms as last summer.
"This is the 17th significant storm event to hit south-east Queensland in just seven weeks," he said.
"To put that in perspective, for the whole of last summer, spring and summer storm season, we had a whole 17 storms, so I find it hard to believe that we won't have any more for the next three and a half months, so I think we'll end up with more above than last year well and truly."