Severe storm causes extensive damage near Yass, New South Wales

David Rothwell, a Yass Valley councillor and resident, recounted a frightening experience, stating, “You could actually see it blowing around, like wind going one direction, wind coming the other way, and then it started twisting.” He described the storm as producing intense noise, lightning, and hail the size of golf balls.

“It made a hell of a noise and then things got pretty wild,” Rothwell said. “Lightning strikes and big hail, golf-ball-sized, pounding windows and the roof. I went outside to try and grab all the furniture that was blowing and stuff going everywhere [but] gave that up pretty quick when I saw the dog get blown into the wood shed. It was pretty scary.”

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) reported that the storm resulted in six roofs being completely ripped off and damage to the roofs of ten additional buildings. Fallen trees initially blocked access to the affected area.

SES commander Deanne Young characterized the event as a “tornado-like event,” noting, “It hit very hard and very fast and did some pretty significant damage. There did appear to be a bit of a funnel forming out of the clouds.” She also commented on the lack of advance warning, a common occurrence in the region.

Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. Residents of Good Hope are now undertaking a substantial cleanup effort, with Cr Rothwell expressing distress over the extent of the destruction. “I’ve got mates whose houses had their roofs ripped off,” he said. “It’s terrible, sheds destroyed, horrible.”