Last week’s electrical storm across the region caused a double dose of trouble for Millicent farming couple Bevan and Kathleen Staude.
Not only did they lose the roof of their hayshed at about 6.30pm on March 10, their house suffered a direct lightning strike about five hours later.
While coping with these traumatic events, the Staudes have managed to be resilient and also find some silver linings among these gloomy events staged by Mother Nature.
They are grateful for the ready assistance provided by the CFS, tradesmen, neighbours and insurance company.
The eventful night began around dinner time when they got a call from one of their neighbours.
“Although he was a few hundred metres away, he could see the high winds had blown the iron from the roof of our hay shed,” Kathleen said.
“We have had a few mini cyclones out this way over the years.
“The hayshed is a few kilometres away from our house.
“We went for a look and found sheets of iron had been flown into a neighbour’s paddock.
“The iron poles which supported the roof had been pulled out of the ground.”
That was not the extent of the damage at the hayshed.
Due to the missing roof and heavy rain that night, the stored hay bales were spoiled.
Meanwhile, the storm raged across the region and the Staudes returned home.
They were in bed at 11.30pm when there was a loud bang and the lights went out.
The couple believe a direct lightning strike hit their TV antennae and this blew fuses, damaged meter boxes and ruined their solar power batteries.
“We could smell smoke and so we phoned the CFS,” Bevan said.
“Two Millicent CFS trucks arrived a short time later.
“The firefighters were very thorough and inspected the ceiling and other damaged areas.
“They also used a heat sensor to go with their visual inspections.
“The firefighters finished their inspections and left us at 12.30pm and their captain said they had another tasking.”
In the morning, Bevan phoned electrician Scott Lonergan and he was there within 10 minutes.
“Scott checked our portable generator to ensure it could power the refrigerators in our house,” Bevan said.
“We will not know the extent of damage to our household appliances until the power is switched back on by SA Power Networks.
“We have been in contact with our insurance company and they offered to put us up in a motel in Millicent.
“We declined as we will stay at our home and use battery-operated torches and boil water for cups of tea from our camping gas burner.”
Although the electrical storm has disrupted their lives, the Staudes remain upbeat.
They have rolled up their sleeves and will assist trades personnel and the insurance company in repairing the damage.
They are exhibiting the same positive spirit which they have displayed in volunteering for local organisations such as Lions and Millicent Show Society over many years.
