How to get $80,000 grants after severe hail
The weather bureau has predicted extreme heatwave conditions near Gympie, while the rest of the south-east will remain under a low-level heatwave.
Temperatures were expected to fall back to typical ranges on Tuesday next week, with overnight minimum temperatures approaching 17 degrees in Brisbane, although the weather bureau predicted daily maximum temperatures would be above 30 degrees.
Monday afternoon’s storms knocked out power to more than 162,000 properties. Credit: Cameron Atfield
A Queensland Energy spokesman said 98 per cent of homes disconnected from the grid on Monday had been reconnected, but “zombie trees” affected by the storm – those at high risk of falling – could still damage electricity infrastructure.
Nearly 170,000 homes were without power during the week, and the largest number of properties without power at any one time was more than 162,000 on Monday afternoon.
This included a number of facilities for older people in Brisbane’s north; At least one retirement village was struggling with heatwave conditions without power earlier in the week.
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Bolton Clarke, which runs aged care and retirement homes on Bribie Island, said its facilities were affected by power and mobile outages following Monday’s storms.
Personal alarm systems that can alert family members and emergency services to falls and distress have automatically switched to battery backup.
The retirement village of Bongaree remained without power until Wednesday, with staff distributing ice, food and water to residents.
“Additional welfare checks were carried out and updates were provided to families and once power was restored the team’s door slammed again on all residents,” a spokesman said.
The aged care facility at Bribie Cove had a backup power supply and Energex provided an extra generator for the retirement village in the same area.
Health officials warn that the elderly are particularly vulnerable in extremely hot conditions and should be monitored closely.
As of Friday morning, fewer than 3,400 properties remained dark in southeast Queensland; of these, 2,000 had been in the dark since Monday.
A spokesman for Leahy’s office said the state would expand the scope of the fund as properties in more remote municipal areas become eligible for hardship grants, which cover the loss of essential services, including electricity, for more than five days.
The co-funded grant program also contributed to the costs needed by councils north of Brisbane and down to the Fraser Coast to repair public infrastructure and initiate disaster relief operations.
In Brisbane, the council began offering a free green waste drop-off service on Wednesday and will continue until 5.45pm on Sunday.
The government said people affected by severe weather can check if they are eligible for assistance and find out how to apply. on its website.
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