Tornadoes and Flooding in Bundaberg

[Trim50]

We just heard that our boat came real close to being at the center of a tornado in Bundaberg. Early this morning 5 tornadoes touched down right around the Bundaberg Port Marina area, Burnett Heads and Bagara. We are waiting to hear from the marina as to how Trim faired since she is on the hard only a mile from where the 2 tornadoes in Burnett Heads hit.

There are also boat attached to docks floating down the river just as they did in 2010.

Tornadoes hit around Bundaberg | Sunshine Coast Daily

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1226562738872

[Auzzee]

I hope your vessel came through it all in good shape. I have been in touch with various members of my family living in Brisbane. The weather has been woeful and shows little sign of relenting for some time yet.

Best wishes.

[Trim50]

This morning I talked to the manager of the marina and he said all the roads to the marina are flooded and nobody can get through. I haven't been able to get ahold of the yard manager to find out how the hardstand vessels faired. Trim was covered completely in canvas. My guess is that the canvas could not have withstood the winds that we saw on TV this morning. So at the very least we will have to fly up and collect all the canvas cover that is likely shredded about.

[svhoneybee]

Have heard from friends this morning that the Tasmanian yacht, Sorcerer, left on the hard in up town Bundaberg, has gone, along with everything else in the yard. Nari, left on a mooring in the river opposite the mid town marina, has gone along with everything else on moorings. I gather that the marina has gone as well. Reports are that the marina near the mouth of the river has had big winds, but all is OK.

[Trim50]

Thanks for that update! It really is difficult to get info from Bundaberg. We are still waiting to hear if Trim is OK.

Apparently the flood waters in Bundaberg are the worst in history. However, the design of the Bundaberg Port Marina is such that flood water flow into the flood plane opposite the marina preventing the waters from rising beyond the tops of the pilings. Since Trim is up in the hardstands, I'm prettyy sure she is OK. My biggest concern is about the wind generator, canvas cover and dinghy. We've been onboard before while the cover was on in 50knot winds, so we know the cover is good to 50 knots. In addition, I know from experience that tornadoes are very localized wind events. It can be perfectly calm just a half mile from a tornado. The pictures from Burnett Heads show houses without roofs only a mile away from the marina.

[svhoneybee]

Hope Trim is OK. My info is 3rd hand, but concerns mutual friends. Have a friend at Tin Can Bay who has apparently got through it at anchor. Further south at Illuka (NSW), winds are apparently much lower (mid 30's) and no problems with the river.

My understanding of Bundaberg is that things are OK out near the river entrance, but upstream near the town the flood waters are wrecking everything. As I said, 3rd hand info.

[svhoneybee]

Bundaberg this morning:
Flooding in Bundaberg - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[svhoneybee]

Just heard that Coffs Harbour Marina has been trashed by wild weather.

[svhoneybee]

From the ABC:
"Coffs Harbour has emerged largely unscathed from last night's storm, but the same cannot be said for the town's marina.Reporter Jeff Waters says worried boat owners worked through the night moving and securing boats as the rain poured and huge waves crashed over the marina's northern wall.
Only one boat was damaged but workers fear the marina itself may be beyond repair.
Floating pontoons are being smashed as massive swells continue to break over the walls above them."

[cassa]

please note that at 1620 hours jan 29 Sorcerer is hanging on a chafing rope line just off the rocks north of the Elliott River and will need rescuing before the wind comes up tonight. One can launch a dingy from Riverview ramp which isn't not far.

[svhoneybee]

Cassa, I'm attempting to contact the owners of Sorcerer. Can you describe the boat more fully and the situation it is in?

[svhoneybee]

It looks as if Sorcerer survived the night and is being rescued right now.

It was reported that Sorcerer and 3 other boats were simply washed out of the hard stand yard in the middle of Bundaberg and off down the river. She has ended up 10 miles down the coast.

[svhoneybee]

Fantastic outcome. A friend messaged me on Facebook, telling me that amongst the boats missing in Bundaberg, were two boats belonging to people we knew. I posted some of the details above. Cassa found my post and responded above. I emailed her, she rang me, I gave her the phone number of Sorcerer's owner (they were in southern NSW) and arrangements were made. Sorcerer was towed safely into Elliott Heads this morning by some wonderful local people. What a great result, at least for one boat. I feel for those whose boats are still out there or known to be wrecked.

[Trim50]

That is good news!

Trim came out just fine. The canvas did get a beating and we will need to fly up to Bundy next week once the flood water decrease. It was however a very close call.

[Trim50]

Photos of Flooded Bundy

[svhoneybee]

Ken, that is great. I hope there are more good news stories to come.

[svhoneybee]

From Cassa:
anyone know Amaryllis? she’s just north of double rock Elliott Heads and with a tug could be still dragged off I think on today’s 1100 tide. She looks to be in reasonable condition as at 0700 Jan 31st.

[cassa]

anyone know Amaryllis? She's currently on the rocks at double rock Elliott Heads but I think could be scull dragged off (she's steel) at today's high tide at 1100hrs 31 Jan. She's a steel mono around 12mts masthead sloop aft cockpit. rig intact

[svhoneybee]

I've just heard that Nari, the other Tasmanian boat I mentioned as missing above, has been found upright in a cane field. Could be another good outcome here, though sadly it is not the case for many boats.

[anilkumar]

I hope that wouldnt have harm you...The weather is very bad out there I heard from a friend of mine who is sailing there and then I heard the news about it..That says all about worse weather condition everywhere..