Tracy Provest describes homes in Ipswich looking like 'someone had taken a fist through tiled roofs, not just once, but 60 times' after the recent hailstorm.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Ulladulla SES had six members travel to Queensland as part of Team Bravo, including Tracy as field team leader. Newly qualified in Storm at Heights were Jason Violaris, Lachlan Edwards and Garry Smith who all joined this year.
Trainer and team leader John McCloghry and deputy officer and rescue officer, Bill Frazer also made up the crew.
The team travelled north on Saturday, November 7, a week after the storm, and returned after five days.
Tracy said seeing the damage firsthand was incredible.
"It was incredibly devastating for the people of the Ipswich area. One house we did on the Monday took two teams of four a whole day and we ended up using six 9x6 tarps on that roof - and that was just one," she said.
"All the solar panels were just like polka dots."
Of the 1700 dwellings that were damaged, between 13 and 17 of those were unlivable. The evacuation centres were packed to the brim with people needing shelter.
While it was obviously a tough time for residents, Tracy said it was wonderful to see help arrive so quickly.
"We were there a week after the storms and on the Monday you couldn't move for contractors," she said.
"There was a lot of roofing people who came from everywhere to come and do that work."
Team Bravo followed Team Charlie, who came from the Newcastle region. The Ulladulla crew were able to use their light storm vehicles left behind for them. NSW SES had Team Charlie ready to follow-up but they weren't needed in the end.
The six Ulladulla SES members all took time off work to head north but Tracy said it was a privilege to be able to help out.
