Massive Hail Storm Locally

 Most reading would probably have heard about our Hail storm that sent our little seaside town into a look-a-like Alpine village at Thredbo. We saw the storm coming and as the clouds looked green knew that hail was on the way,  but not at all what we expected.

 As our cars are parked on the street decided to go to Aldis to their covered car park. We were shopping 10 mins when it all began and the hail, the size of golf balls, was so loud on the roof  I couldn't hear John talking. 

Taken from Aldis, by the time we could get out, this road was blocked, our way home.

 Add sirens to the mix and it was certainly chaos in the street. The Centro shopping centre roof partially collapsed and 400 customers evacuated. It is still closed today.

Outside Aldis

 Aldis also had rain pouring in and I helped pull out the carts with one of the staff from the middle. Meanwhile all the walls were covered in water.

Our  new way home

The drive home was interesting, we took a street past Centro as most had moved their cars from the lake of water outside and we called in to our DIL mother who's window and roof skylight had broken and water pouring. Our son had sent out a mayday as he was also having trouble getting to her. We arrived roughly the same time via a small stream, the first time I have had to drive though a lot of water mixed with hail, and heavy rain.

 The roof had 6 inches of ice on it that was pushed off to stop the weight collapsing the flat roof. No power on either. In actual fact it wasn't too bad in this area, and once we did what we could, mopping the floor for one, covering a tarp over the window, we drove home.

 

 

Driving home though, was another whole story so completely different. Tree limbs blocking roads, SES trucks from as far away as Inverell, Casino, and Ballina.  Over 1000 calls for help, and 34 crews. None who had seen anything like it. 

It was a zig zag drive and really cold outside.

 

 The most surprising thing was driving through Sawtell township, there was hardly any ice at all, or at least had melted. Our house had hail damage as I could see a few plants but nothing major. Felt very strange situated between two major hail areas. So once we unpacked the food at home, we then set off again to get to the Community Garden. The normal way was blocked, too much ice on the road, and the school on the corner was packed with ice and now closed for the week.

Bayldon Primary School, Police blocking Toormina Turnoff.

So we then turned around and went via Sawtell itself. What a difference, still raining but all clear.

Looks good, but streets to the left were some of the worst areas.

 Then over the top of the hill,  at what is locally known as the Hilltop Shop, a massive change.

Then of course all the sports areas.

Sawtell Golf Course

Sawtell Football Oval

Primary School just down from  us

Murrays Beach Entrance

Local  Murrays Beach

 We eventually made it to the Community Gardens at 6.30pm and next week will show you the damage. It was trashed. 

My embroidery group has been cancelled this week, as their house was caught in the drama with several major windows smashed, verandah damaged, hail and rain inside, so undergoing new carpet, windows, and generally drying everything out. A very frightening experience I was told.

My sister also had some damage her partner's car window has major cracks, and skylights and a window smashed. 

For those who like videos local NBN News, from Facebook. 

 https://fb.watch/8QjtWEuOBb/

How was your week?

Till Next Time.