THE Dumbleyung community is still picking up the pieces in the recovery process of the aftermath of vicious storms that cut through the town last week.
At about 4.30pm.on Tuesday, February 9 wind gusts and lightning strikes throughout the town and surrounding areas caused extensive damage to buildings including the primary school, an engineering business, local tavern and many homes.
The force of the wind snapped power poles, uprooted trees and fences and ripped off roofing and tiles from about 30 homes.
A bushfire was also started by lightning in the Moulyining area, which bushfire brigade crews attended before heading to town to render assistance.
At the school, parents and staff were preparing for a P&C annual general meeting in the library when the storm hit.
Children still on the school grounds were terrified as the might of the storm made its way through town.
From within the library, parents witnessed the roof from the main administration building and three class rooms fly overhead, being strewn across the school grounds and out onto the street nearly a block away.
No one was hurt in the flying debris.
The school was closed for the rest of the week to assess and secure the site.
Dumbleyung Primary School prinicpal Kathy Pangler ensured the safety of all people on the school grounds and made every effort to secure items out of the way of the flood-damaged classrooms, computer room and administration block.
As the Local Emergency Management Plan was activated, Dumbleyung police officer in charge sergeant Peter Payne assumed control to assess and accumulate information as to the damage sustained.
From the Shire offices, local Fire and Rescue Service crews cordoned off areas within town where power poles had come down and live wires were still active.
Western Power crews from Katanning were quickly at the scene to render assistance and ensure safety.
Teams were appointed to scour the town for damage and log help required.
This proved invaluable to the planning and prioritising of assistance.
Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) dispatched an incident control team from Albany lead by Gary Logan.
State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers from Narrogin were also deployed to the scene, backed up by crews from Albany.
Late last week the SES volunteers from Narrogin and Albany completed making temporary repairs to 31 buildings, fixing minor roof damage and removing fallen trees from homes, cars and fences.
This included 18 homes.
They were supported by local volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and Bush Fire Service firefighters, WA Police, council workers and a FESA incident management team.
The community was praised for its coordinated and professional response to this disaster.
The damage bill from Tuesday’s storm was estimated to be at least $1.5 million.
The Shire of Dumbleyung will now help residents and business owners to clean up and coordinate any further recovery requirements.
A recovery committee has been formed to help with this comprising coordinator Lousia Dare, Shire chief executive Henry Van Der Ende, manager of works Jeff Alderton and chief executive administrative officer Alex Adams.
Dumbleyung residents affected by the storm are urged to have a good look around their property.
People should look at their roof for dislodged tiles, loose tin or flashings that have been damaged and check trees for damaged branches and, if they are hanging dangerously, avoid them.
People should check fencing for damage and if the fence is made of asbestos do not go near it or handle it – an approved contractor will need to do this.
If property has been damaged, residents should contact their insurance company straight away, who will be able tell them when they can start repair work to the property.
If tradespeople are required to visit residents in the town to carry out work on their property, contact the Shire before proceeding.
Through a coordinated approach residents may be able to save money on travel and other costs associated with hiring tradespeople as other residents may also require similar work.
People should contact the Shire for more assistance and if they can offer help to other people in Dumbleyung.
There will a special green waste and rubbish collection on Friday, February 19 from early morning and residents should have their rubbish on their verge by this date.
The Shire of Dumbleyung office hours contact number is 9863 4012.
Residents with an urgent enquiry after hours can call recovery coordinator Lousisa Dare on 0428 227 000.
Member for Wagin Terry Waldron MLA congratulated and praised the efforts of staff from FESA, SES and Western Power in their prompt and outstanding efforts following storm damage in Dumbleyung and Gnowangerup last week.
“I visited both towns last week and witnessed firsthand the serious damage,” Mr Waldron said.
“I was greatly heartened to see people from FESA, the SES and Western Power on the ground getting things back into action.
“The local Shires and community members were high in their praise and thanks of the efforts of these workers on the ground,” he said.
Mr Waldron also stressed the great work and support of the local Shires and the general community.
“There is no doubt that we are at our best in times of challenge such as these storms have caused,” Mr Waldron said.
“Also seeing the police, district education office, teachers and community all working together to get things back to normal, really shows the strength of our local communities and I congratulate all,” he said.
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