After 10 days of being battered by a tornado, storms, a heatwave and flooding, a multi-agency recovery operation is underway in the hardest-hit suburbs of Logan.
Clouds remained as a gloomy reminder of weather that left thousands of people pleading for help from their government, a contingent from the ADF moved in to assess the damage.
Weather bureau predictions are for more storms tomorrow (Friday) and into the weekend, but the break in horrible conditions allowed a recovery team to start their work.
First, they’ll be removing fallen vegetation, clearing roads and opening other access points – most notably in Cedar Grove, Mundoolun, Cedar Vale, Jimboomba and Greenbank.
Energex crews continue to restore power to homes that have now been without connection for 10 days.
According to Energex predictions, most of the 1500 homes still without power should be restored by the end of the weekend.
Chainsaw experts are chopping tree trunks and branches into easily-removed pieces.
Tomorrow, a team from not-for-profit Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) is expected to start helping with the roads clean-up.
Logan City Council has not answered questions about the potential repercussions of mud and mosquitoes which are usually a menace following wet weather events.
Mayor Darren Power did however, say there was support for the ADF in the community.
“It’s a morale boost because residents out this way have been through so much over the holiday period when many others were celebrating,” he said.
“They can see there are a lot more hands working on getting things done which is terrific.”
In addition to driving the ongoing clean-up, a council recovery team will focus on the city’s infrastructure and services.
A state government-led Community Recovery hub continues to operate at Jimboomba library and community centre, offering showers and laundry facilities.
More than 600 meals were served at the hub on Wednesday, and about 400 on Tuesday.
The centre is also providing information about hardship grants, and how to apply.
More than 70 people attended the first morning of a new pop-up Community Recovery Hub at Cedar Grove, with a number accessing the free hot showers.
The support service, operating out of the Landcare Environmental Centre, 441 Cedar Grove Rd, from 9am-4pm will operate through to Sunday, January 7.
Kerbside cleanup will begin on Monday (January 8).
Collections will be done in a sequence that leaves the hardest-hit suburbs until last, allowing council clean-up crews and ADF personnel to clear vegetation from footpaths.
The process is expected to take about two weeks.
Park Ridge South, New Beith, North Maclean, South Maclean, Greenbank and Munruben will be serviced.
