Severe Storms Wreak Havoc in Adelaide, Australia

Wild storms have wreaked havoc across Adelaide, downing trees, flooding streets, damaging homes, and leaving thousands without power. The Bureau of Meteorology reports over 50mm of rainfall in parts of the city, with some areas receiving as much as 75mm. Severe thunderstorm warnings for heavy rainfall and damaging winds remain in place, causing widespread chaos.

Emergency Response Overwhelmed

The South Australia SES state duty officer, Brenton Clarke, reveals a surge in flood assistance requests, reaching 161 by mid-morning. Homes are inundated, and wind gusts of 72km/h add to the chaos. Adelaide airport faced disruptions due to lightning strikes, grounding flights until 8:30 am. Despite efforts to clear delays, a backlog persists.

Power Outages and Christmas Display Damage

Nearly 5,000 customers are without power, down from 14,000 earlier. The storm has not spared Christmas decorations; an annual display by the City of West Torrens is partly underwater, and an inflatable whale has drifted away. The display is temporarily closed for maintenance and safety assessment.

Community Response on Social Media

Social media captures the impact, with users sharing images of the inflatable whale floating downstream. Some express concern, while others share the incident humorously. The Bureau of Meteorology urges residents to secure belongings as the city faces ongoing challenges.

Hope Amidst Chaos

Despite the mayhem, there is a glimmer of hope. Jenny Horvat from the Bureau of Meteorology indicates that the severe weather is expected to ease into the weekend, with showers gradually diminishing. The community awaits relief as they grapple with the aftermath of this unexpected storm.