FALLING TREES PROVE TO BE HIDDEN DANGER OF WILD WEATHER
NOTHING is safe when storms hit, and often trees can fall victim to high winds and heavy rain.
This was witnessed in the felling of a large tree at Bell St mall in October, which toppled over in the rain and high winds.
In the South Burnett, a young boy was left with critical injuries after being pinned underneath a tree while helping with a clean-up effort after the same storm.
A number of cars in Newtown also sustained damage from tree branches and one shopper in down-town Toowoomba found their car had been squashed.
During severe weather events, the tops of trees often become saturated with water. This, combined with the softening of the ground around the roots, can lead to the tree falling both during or after the wet weather.
Arborists have listed the warning signs of tree collapse, which include cracks in the soil around the roots, raised ground around the tree and a lean in the trunk not noticeable before.
SES South West regional manager Robert Bundy said the emergency services were often called to the site of fallen trees after storms.
“During the storms at the end of October we had 34 callouts and three quarters of these were due to issues with fallen trees,” Mr Bundy said.
“Trees had fallen on cars and houses, and we had some blocking the entrance to properties.
“It’s when there are strong winds that we really have issues with trees.”
Mr Bundy said there were a number of precautions residents could take to prevent tree damage.
“We see most of the damage to roofs,” he said.
“If you know there is a storm coming, we recommend that you trim or cut any loose branches that may pose a threat.
“I also recommend cleaning your gutters. I got up early this weekend to clean mine - the leaves can clog the gutter, which causes water to back flow into the walls of your house.”
Fallen trees and branches can also cause havoc on roads and highways of the Darling Downs.
“It’s council’s responsibility to keep the roads clear,” Mr Bundy said.
“One of the big dangers of moving trees or branches off the road is if they have fallen on a power line.
“Make sure you check for any lines before you approach the situation.”
For more information on storm safety you can visit ses.qld.gov.au.