Severe thunderstorms struck eastern Australia during the Christmas and Boxing Day holidays, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 people, including a nine-year-old girl. The majority of fatalities occurred in Queensland, where tens of thousands of individuals remain without power. Victoria and New South Wales also experienced widespread flooding and destructive winds. Although more thunderstorms are predicted, conditions are expected to improve over the next day.
The intensity of the storms was evident in the significant damage caused, with roofs ripped off buildings, trees uprooted, and even concrete power poles demolished. Queensland Premier Steven Miles described the destruction of a concrete power pole as unprecedented. Residents in parts of New South Wales and South Australia were surprised to find hailstones the size of golf balls covering their lawns.
These storms follow in the wake of major floods in Queensland caused by Cyclone Jasper a week prior. Some areas received more than a year’s worth of rain within a few days, resulting in immense damage. Premier Miles estimates the cost of the damage caused by both storms could run into billions of dollars.
This recent bout of extreme weather comes after a series of heatwaves and bushfires in several states, particularly New South Wales. Australia is currently experiencing an El Nino weather event, typically associated with wildfires and cyclones. Simon Bradshaw, research director at the Climate Council, warned that these events indicate a larger pattern of escalating climate consequences.
Australia has endured a string of disasters in recent years, including severe drought, bushfires, record floods, and six mass bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef. The latest report by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that without immediate action to combat climate change, the country will face more frequent and worsening disasters.
Among the individuals who tragically lost their lives during the Christmas and Boxing Day storms were a man and a woman who were camping in Victoria’s Gippsland region. Police suspect they were struck by a falling branch. Another man in the eastern Caringal area was also fatally injured by a falling branch on his property. In Queensland, a woman perished under similar circumstances on the Gold Coast.
In addition, three men drowned after their yacht capsized near Moreton Bay, off the coast of Cairns. Eight individuals were rescued from the water. Two women were found dead near Gympie, north of Brisbane, after being swept away by floodwaters into a storm drain. Fortunately, a third woman accompanying them survived the incident. Tragically, a nine-year-old girl named Mia Holland-McCormack lost her life after going missing on Boxing Day. Her body was discovered in a flooded storm drain. Mia, who had severe autism, had wandered off from her home just before the storm hit.
These devastating events emphasize the urgent need for action to address climate change and its consequences. With Australia experiencing more frequent and severe weather-related disasters, it is crucial for individuals, communities, and governments to prioritize climate resilience and mitigation strategies to protect lives and livelihoods. The nation must work towards a sustainable and resilient future to safeguard against the escalating impacts of climate change.
