By PETER DOUGLAS
A WOMAN who was 37 weeks pregnant has been left homeless after her property was destroyed in storms on Tuesday morning.
The incident was among several which kept SES crews busy on Tuesday morning.
Wild weather caused damage to numerous properties in Belgrave, Upwey and Tecoma and further inclement weather is predicted over the coming week.
By far the worst of the damage occurred at a property in Belgrave just after 5am when a young couple’s home was destroyed.
Emerald SES Unit Controller Ben Owen said the couple were distraught.
“Upon further investigation, it appears the woman was 37 weeks pregnant and they had just set up a nursery.
“That home is now destroyed.
“A large tree has come from a long way back and crashed through the roof.
“To give an example of the severity, the back window of the home had been blown out, just by the sheer force of the impact.”
Mr Owen said it had been an exceptionally busy period for SES crews.
He estimated the unit had received one call for assistance per 20 minutes since early in the morning.
Meanwhile, a further two properties suffered severe damage in Upwey, one in which a garage collapsed and a tree crushed a car.
Another was damaged in Cockatoo.
Mr Owen said with more wild weather on the way, people needed to stay vigilant.
“Make sure to tie down all loose items in your home and if a powerline is down, don’t go near it,” he said.
“When driving, be wary of black ice and also be mindful that trees could be down around any corner.”
He also noted the Emerald SES is also fundraising for a much-needed new truck.
Mr Owen said the truck broke down during one of the morning call-outs but it was repaired by Belgrave Motors.
To find out how to help out, visit the Emerald SES Facebook page.
