Freak Tornado Hits Australian Town; Tears Off Roofs, Destroys Power Station - AFP

[hatrack]

An Australian town was cleaning up Saturday after a freak tornado tore roofs off homes and destroyed a power station, emergency services said. The twister hit the town of Dunoon in northern New South Wales Friday, part of a storm front that also brought hail and torrential rain.

NSW State Emergency Services worker Scott Hankel said the tornado smashed into a power station, effectively cutting Dunoon in half as live power lines straddled the main street.

He said about 20 homes needed roof repairs, with some houses beyond saving.

EDIT

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Andrew Haigh said while tornadoes were rare in Australia, there was a possibility of more in coming months. "It's always possible in the severe storm season, occasionally the factors line up like they did yesterday," he told Channel Nine.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Australian_town_cleaning_up_after_freak_tornado_999.html

[kestrel91316]

1. I do so hope they are equipped to harvest the rainwater from these

sorts of storms. Metal roofing and cisterns are a MOST wise investment.

[ben_meyers]

2. Australian mini-tornado caught on tape

Video here.




http://www.keyetv.com/content/news/topnews/story.aspx?content_id=57f55ccb-16aa-4c68-a6b2-7b5abc5d981f