Wild weather hits the Whitsundays

THE Whitsundays has had some rough weather in the past couple of weeks.

Last Thursday’s torrential rain resulted in Hamilton Plains being lightly flooded and Gregory Cannonvalley road completely closed off.

However, Thursday’s weather across the Whitsundays delivered two-pronged benefits to the region’s irrigating cane growers.

Canegrowers Proserpine manager Michael Porter said the rain, while heavy in many areas, was not for prolonged periods of time, minimising the potential for damage to crops and paddocks.

Ergon Energy corporate communications manager Bob Pleash said there were no issues to report on Thursday but Sunday’s sudden downpour disrupted power.

Mr Pleash reported that after 7pm, 4800 customers in the Proserpine and Whitsunday area were without power due to lightning striking a transformer on a pole at Bloomsbury.

Customers reported the issue quickly so Ergon crews were able to go straight to site to start repairs.

Within an hour, all but 14 customers had their power back.

The other 14 had to wait for about five hours while workers repaired the power pole and changed the transformer in the immediate fault area.

Mr Pleash said Whitsunday residents should familiarise themselves on safety this storm season at http://www.ergon.com.au/network/outages-and-disruptions/storms-and-disasters/storm-and-cyclone-safety.

Equally with heavy rainfall falling in some areas, ensure that you stay safe and do not enter or play in any flood waters.

For more information visit http://www.ergon.com.au/network/outages-and-disruptions/storms-and-disasters/flood-safety.

A sinking boat was also reported to Whitsunday Water Police on Wednesday, January 21.

VMR vice-president Mal Priday said the Whitsunday Water Police were advised that the boat was looking low the day before and attempted to get in contact with its owner.

Mr Priday said the boat was gradually sinking during his ferry runs on that day and had almost gone completely under by afternoon.