am3 You're in Kiama aren't you?

[lurker17260]

Everything okay with you?  Looks like it got pretty wild around your way yesterday.  We are due to go up there next week, I think I might call the caravan park and make sure it is still all okay.

We (in the Eurobodalla) got a huge dump of rain and lots of thunder and lightning.

[cherry*135]

Everything is fine at our home, thanks. It was scary at the time though - thought the windows were going to blow in. I just read the mini-tornado hit land first at Bombo beach (north side of Kiama)  which is the side I am on. The street above us got the worst damage (one of the highest points in town) and one next to us had a fair bit of damage as well.

I think it will be OK in the other parts of Kiama where the caravan parks are, but good idea to call them and make sure. Hopefully you get some nice calm weather when you are here.

I felt sorry for all the tourists/visitors to town last weekend, would have had a visit not to forget.

Aerial photographs reveal the path the tornado took when it hit land at the south end of Bombo Beach around 3am.

From there it climbed up the hill through Gipps, Pacific and Antrim Streets before it caused maximum damage to homes at the highest point of Minnamurra Street.

The storm system then continued south-west, damaging parts of the Blue Haven retirement village, and ripped roofs off the Kiama Fire Station and parts of the Kiama Leisure Centre.

The tornado continued across the Princes Highway into the Cedar Ridge Estate.\

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1322634/the-whole-house-started-to-shake/?cs=300

[the_hawk*]

Ouch I hope everyone in the area is safe

[cherry*135]

Fortunately there were no people seriously injured.

[the_hawk*]

Sadly I did hear on the radio yesterday that in one area where flood waters had gone over a levee bank and two people had died. 😞

I am not sure if it was NSW or QLD

[not_an_eloi]

read there's danger from asbestos contamination in the sheetin' in the damaged buildin's.      evacuations from homes, because asbestos while it's not disturbed, while it's still wet isn't such a problem, but now these sheets are lyin' everywhere, site clean-up's a worry.

[cherry*135]

Yes, there are asbestos contamination issues. People are being evacuated even if their houses aren't damaged if they are next to/near a house with exposed asbestos or where it is lying around.

SES advised nearby residents to keep windows closed and wear a ’P2’ mask - available from hardware stores - "if you have concerns".

Should I be concerned? I live one street over or below the main damaged areas.

[i-need-a-martini]

Lurker - if you are heading to Easts Beach Caravan Park all is well there. My sister was there this week and other than the a bit of soggynes and some amazing waves, she is having a good time.

[cherry*135]

A bit of soggyness?  That is an understatement.

[Anonymous]

take care am ..

wouldn 't hurt to check about the asbestos .