The Limestone Coast was buffeted by damaging winds over the weekend, with strong gusts bringing down trees and power lines across the region.
In response to dozens of call outs, the State Emergency Service yesterday sent extra resources to Mount Gambier to provide relief and assistance to the local unit.
As the worst of the weather struck power was cut to thousands of homes on Sunday night.
Wind gusts in excess of 100kph were recorded in locations including Mount Gambier and Cape Jaffa.
Emergency services were kept busy across the region, called out to remove fallen trees from numerous roads and several buildings.
The dangerous conditions prompted the Bureau of Meteorology to issue several weather warnings about destructive winds.
SES chief of staff Dave O’Shannessy said volunteers responded to around 300 requests for assistance as damaging and destructive winds swept across the state.
“Over the past 48 hours, winds in excess of 100kph have torn roofs of homes, brought down power lines cutting power to thousands of properties and ripped up trees which have fallen on vehicles and houses, particularly across the Adelaide metropolitan area and the South East,” he said.
“SES volunteers responded to 75 jobs on Father’s Day and more than 200 jobs so far today (Monday).
“Mount Gambier and Mount Barker units have led from the front with our emergency response over the past 48 hours with Tea Tree Gully and Millicent units also being kept quite busy.
“We will be sending extra support to the Mount Gambier region today to provide those volunteers with a well-deserved rest.”
The strong wind also caused problems at the Mount Gambier Netball Association’s Margaret Street courts on Saturday.
Spectators at the association’s first round of finals noticed that a light pole near the clubrooms had developed a lean, prompting play to be temporarily suspended while the area was cleared.
A new exit also had to be created to the courts, given the pole’s proximity to the venue’s entry gates.
The rough weather also delayed the start of the lobster season on Sunday.
Professional and recreational vessels along the South East were due to return to sea that morning as the 2024/25 Southern Zone lobster season officially opened at 6 am.
It is understood that none of the Beachport fishing fleet put to sea.
Depending on weather conditions and other circumstances, around 12,000 pots will now be set in the coming days by deckhands and skippers on rocky ledges and the ocean floor from Kingston to the Victorian border.
The main talking points among local fishers are the ongoing trade restrictions imposed by China as well as the change in the Bonney Upwelling pattern which had added nutrients to the seas.
Recreational fishers are also permitted to catch lobsters for the coming nine months until the Southern Zone season ends on May 31.
