News Local Severe weather hits South Australia
Severe weather hits South Australia E-mail
Saturday, 10 July 2010 10:49

Severe weather conditions kept State Emergency Services (SES) crews busy across South Australia overnight.

With support from the Metropolitan Fire Service and the Country Fire Service, SES crews were called to around 440 weather-related incidents since 11 o'clock last night. Around 380 of these tasks were confined to the Adelaide metropolitan area with the others spread across the state.

The Weather Bureau recorded wind gusts overnight at speeds of 126 km/h at Cape Willoughby, 119 km/h at Cleve and 104 km/h at Ceduna. Among the most significant damage the wind caused, included a tree that fell on a house at Summertown in the Adelaide Hills and a roof that was blown off a house at Roslyn Park.

SES State Duty Officer Graeme Wynwood said more than 100 volunteers responded to emergency calls through the night with fresh crews continuing to work through the morning.

"Some houses have sustained damage such as roof sheets and tiles that have come off and there have been a number of trees that have dropped limbs on houses but the majority of the damage appears to be on roadways and footpaths," he said.

"I also encourage people to inspect their properties this morning particularly to make sure there is no debris or branches on their roof or in gutters which could lead to flooding or water damage.

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that a vigorous frontal system is still moving east across South Australia, causing strong to gale force northeast to northwest winds, averaging 50-70 km/h.