Aussie state faces fury of severe storms: Woolies' roof collapses amidst public safety concerns
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An Aussie state is facing severe weather conditions, prompting significant concerns as intense storms sweep through the region.
Amidst the chaos, reports have emerged of a roof collapse at a local supermarket, raising alarms about public safety and the effectiveness of warning systems.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of these extreme weather events, the focus shifts to ensuring proper preparedness and response measures are in place to protect residents from potential hazards.
As the old saying goes, ‘It never rains, but it pours,’ and for the residents of Queensland's Moreton Bay region, this couldn't have been more accurate.
On a day that will be etched in the memories of locals, a severe storm unleashed its fury, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, including the dramatic collapse of a Woolworths supermarket roof.
The calamity unfolded on Wednesday, October 9, and started like any other but quickly turned into a scene from a disaster movie.
The storm, which brought with it winds reaching a staggering 87km/h, didn't just rattle windows and doors; it brought ceilings crashing down.
The Woolworths supermarket in Morayfield became an unintended showcase of nature's might as panels from the ceiling gave way, allowing torrents of water to flood the store, much to the shock of shoppers and staff alike.
However, the supermarket wasn't the only casualty. A martial arts gym in the same area also suffered a similar fate, with its roof collapsing during a class.
It was a stroke of luck that no one was injured in what could have been a tragic turn of events.
The gym, known as Dragon Martial Arts, was forced to close its doors until further notice, leaving its members to find alternative venues for their training.
The storm's impact was felt far and wide, with the State Emergency Service (SES) receiving 90 calls for help across Queensland, most of which came from the Moreton Bay area.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reported that the heaviest rainfall was recorded over inland parts of southeast Queensland, with Kooralbyn receiving 57mm.
The western parts of the state were also hammered by thunderstorms, with hailstones approximately 7cm in diameter reported north of Injune, 600km northwest of Brisbane.
‘Storms are likely to develop and then move northeast, as well,’ BoM Senior Meteorologist Felim Hanniffy stated.
As the severe weather started to subside across much of the state on Thursday, October 10, residents began the cleanup process.
Dragon Martial Arts in Morayfield reported that no injuries occurred when the roof collapsed during a class at the club, which will remain closed until further notice due to flooding.
‘Once we have assessed the damage, we will let everyone know when we can safely re-open. Luckily, no one was badly injured during the ceiling collapse,’ the club said in a statement.
Shoppers in the same area were taken by surprise when a similar incident happened at the Woolworths Supa Centre on Morayfield Rd, where ceiling panels fell and water flooded the store.
The aftermath of the storm saw residents grappling with the damage and questioning the effectiveness of the alert system that was supposed to warn them of the impending danger.
‘By the time I found out, common sense by looking at the sky told me that a storm was already happening,’ one resident shared.
‘A lot of people need to be out of the weather, older people being (some) of them,’ another said.
The council recognised the problem, and local politicians have expressed their concerns about the oversight.
‘City of Moreton Bay is investigating a technical issue where MoretonAlert warnings were delayed to some subscribers,’ the council said in a statement.
‘This service is provided by third-party contractor Whispir, and we are working with them to ensure all warnings are received in a timely manner. We will continue to provide warnings to our subscribers.’
The federal government initially proposed a National Messaging System (NMS) for operational use in late 2024, but it remains incomplete and is now expected to launch in November next year.
Fiona Cunningham, a Councillor for Brisbane City Council, which has requested to serve as a trial site for the new NMS, voiced her disappointment over the delay.
‘The federal government promised, 18 months ago, there would be a national alert service—and we’re still waiting,’ she said.
‘I’ll be writing to the minister, requesting an urgent update.’
The council has yet to provide an official comment.
As Queensland grapples with the aftermath of recent severe storms and the collapse of the Woolworths roof, it's important to reflect on the ongoing challenges faced by local supermarkets during extreme weather events.
Just last month, a similar incident occurred when storm surges caused significant disruptions at another major retailer, leading to power outages and the disposal of thousands of perishable items.
This highlights the broader impact of severe weather on the community and the need for robust contingency plans to safeguard both residents and businesses during such crises.
We at the Seniors Discount Club extend our thoughts to those affected by the storm and encourage our members to stay informed about weather alerts and to take all necessary precautions during severe weather events.
Do you have any tips or experiences to share about preparing for storms or dealing with their aftermath? Please share them in the comments below. Your insights could be invaluable to fellow members and the broader community.
Amidst the chaos, reports have emerged of a roof collapse at a local supermarket, raising alarms about public safety and the effectiveness of warning systems.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of these extreme weather events, the focus shifts to ensuring proper preparedness and response measures are in place to protect residents from potential hazards.
As the old saying goes, ‘It never rains, but it pours,’ and for the residents of Queensland's Moreton Bay region, this couldn't have been more accurate.
On a day that will be etched in the memories of locals, a severe storm unleashed its fury, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, including the dramatic collapse of a Woolworths supermarket roof.
The calamity unfolded on Wednesday, October 9, and started like any other but quickly turned into a scene from a disaster movie.
Queensland's severe weather with strong winds and heavy rain caused ceilings to collapse in a Woolworths supermarket and a martial arts gym in Morayfield. Credit: Shutterstock and Facebook / Moreton City News
The storm, which brought with it winds reaching a staggering 87km/h, didn't just rattle windows and doors; it brought ceilings crashing down.
The Woolworths supermarket in Morayfield became an unintended showcase of nature's might as panels from the ceiling gave way, allowing torrents of water to flood the store, much to the shock of shoppers and staff alike.
However, the supermarket wasn't the only casualty. A martial arts gym in the same area also suffered a similar fate, with its roof collapsing during a class.
It was a stroke of luck that no one was injured in what could have been a tragic turn of events.
The gym, known as Dragon Martial Arts, was forced to close its doors until further notice, leaving its members to find alternative venues for their training.
The storm's impact was felt far and wide, with the State Emergency Service (SES) receiving 90 calls for help across Queensland, most of which came from the Moreton Bay area.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reported that the heaviest rainfall was recorded over inland parts of southeast Queensland, with Kooralbyn receiving 57mm.
The western parts of the state were also hammered by thunderstorms, with hailstones approximately 7cm in diameter reported north of Injune, 600km northwest of Brisbane.
‘Storms are likely to develop and then move northeast, as well,’ BoM Senior Meteorologist Felim Hanniffy stated.
As the severe weather started to subside across much of the state on Thursday, October 10, residents began the cleanup process.
Dragon Martial Arts in Morayfield reported that no injuries occurred when the roof collapsed during a class at the club, which will remain closed until further notice due to flooding.
‘Once we have assessed the damage, we will let everyone know when we can safely re-open. Luckily, no one was badly injured during the ceiling collapse,’ the club said in a statement.
Shoppers in the same area were taken by surprise when a similar incident happened at the Woolworths Supa Centre on Morayfield Rd, where ceiling panels fell and water flooded the store.
The aftermath of the storm saw residents grappling with the damage and questioning the effectiveness of the alert system that was supposed to warn them of the impending danger.
‘By the time I found out, common sense by looking at the sky told me that a storm was already happening,’ one resident shared.
‘A lot of people need to be out of the weather, older people being (some) of them,’ another said.
The council recognised the problem, and local politicians have expressed their concerns about the oversight.
‘City of Moreton Bay is investigating a technical issue where MoretonAlert warnings were delayed to some subscribers,’ the council said in a statement.
‘This service is provided by third-party contractor Whispir, and we are working with them to ensure all warnings are received in a timely manner. We will continue to provide warnings to our subscribers.’
The federal government initially proposed a National Messaging System (NMS) for operational use in late 2024, but it remains incomplete and is now expected to launch in November next year.
Fiona Cunningham, a Councillor for Brisbane City Council, which has requested to serve as a trial site for the new NMS, voiced her disappointment over the delay.
‘The federal government promised, 18 months ago, there would be a national alert service—and we’re still waiting,’ she said.
‘I’ll be writing to the minister, requesting an urgent update.’
The council has yet to provide an official comment.
As Queensland grapples with the aftermath of recent severe storms and the collapse of the Woolworths roof, it's important to reflect on the ongoing challenges faced by local supermarkets during extreme weather events.
Just last month, a similar incident occurred when storm surges caused significant disruptions at another major retailer, leading to power outages and the disposal of thousands of perishable items.
This highlights the broader impact of severe weather on the community and the need for robust contingency plans to safeguard both residents and businesses during such crises.
Do you have any tips or experiences to share about preparing for storms or dealing with their aftermath? Please share them in the comments below. Your insights could be invaluable to fellow members and the broader community.
