More than ninety Australians have been forced to spend the Christmas period away from their temporary homes after dangerous winds wreaked havoc on the Gold Coast, prompting a major emergency declaration.
Exclusion Zone Declared Amid Safety Fears
An emergency exclusion zone was declared in the Southport area under the Public Safety Preservation Act at about 3.45pm on Christmas Day. The zone, which remained active on Saturday, was established after powerful winds caused significant damage to multiple power lines and a large crane.
Photographs from the scene reveal the dramatic extent of the danger: a 30-tonne crane snapped and left dangling precariously above a caravan park located just off the Gold Coast Highway. The unsettling image underscores the severe risk that prompted the swift police action.
Residents Evacuated, Recovery Efforts Hampered
The emergency response has directly impacted 91 people across 36 campsites, who were evacuated from the Southport caravan park for their own safety. Broadcaster Margaux Parker, who was staying at the park, told Sunrise she was unable to return to her caravan as emergency crews continued to assess the damage and ongoing risks.
Vision from the area showed the ferocity of the winds, with barbecues and other loose items being lifted and hurled into nearby cars and caravans. Efforts to safely dismantle the damaged crane have been consistently hampered by the ongoing windy conditions, complicating the recovery operation.
Police have advised the public to avoid the area, which spans the Gold Coast Highway, North Street, Loders Creek and the Broadwater. Authorities have indicated the exclusion zone is expected to remain in place until Tuesday.
Further Warnings Issued for Queensland
As the situation unfolds on the Gold Coast, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued another severe weather warning for several parts of Queensland. The new alert covers the South East Gulf of Carpentaria, North East Gulf of Carpentaria, Capricornia Coast and K’gari Coast.
Residents and holidaymakers across the state are being urged to remain vigilant, secure loose items around their properties, and stay updated with the latest official warnings. Authorities are closely monitoring conditions, with particular attention on flood-prone areas further north.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the disruptive and dangerous power of severe summer weather, turning holiday plans upside down and demanding a coordinated emergency response to ensure public safety.
