The smell of eucalyptus was overpowering, as was the sight of all the shredded leaf debris and branches along the roadside.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The sound of mulchers and chainsaws was a constant with crews of arborists working full-steam since Tuesday to clear roads and clean-up smashed trees.
Residents too were busy.
On Irvines Rd Allan Mills reckoned he had weeks of work and plenty of fire wood after Tuesday's storm tore past his home, throwing vertical hail and torrential rain as it passed.
"It was pretty scary - trees were snapping all around and the hail was deafening on the roof and windows," Allan said.
"The dogs were cowering under the lounge - I took them with me into the bathroom, where we waited it out. It was only about 15-20 minutes but the destruction was incredible."
Out at Wirrimbi Estate Lee Fewings was taking stock of the twisted wreck of his shed.
"The roller doors blew off and the roof twisted and lifted ... the company in Qld is coming to have a look at it, they've never seen anything like it."
Lee however considers himself lucky.
"My neighbours, Anna and Troy Pascoe, lost their shed and had major water damage in their unfinished home."
Incredibly no-one was injured but many are left counting the cost of Nature's fury.
Related:
Also making the news:
Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
