Authorities were compelled to evacuate 39 campsites throughout the park, with most visitors departing hurriedly, taking only the clothes they were wearing.
This evening, access remains restricted as engineers and police tirelessly work to dismantle a precarious crane that could collapse at any moment.
“The entire crane is now tilting towards the north, threatening the northern section of the caravan park,” stated Peter Venz from Queensland Police.
Removing the damaged crane presents a significant challenge. Two additional cranes have been deployed for the dismantling operation, but high winds are currently preventing progress, and conditions might not improve until 5 a.m. tomorrow.
“When we examine the wind forecasts, conditions are expected to remain unfavorable for at least the next two days,” Venz explained.
The Broadwater Tourist Park shared online that the storm’s impact was more severe than any experienced during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Broncos legend Corey Parker and his radio personality wife Margaux were camping at the part with their family, one of the many devastated by the destruction.
“We’ve lost caravan awnings and gazebos, our car’s been damaged, our caravan’s been damaged, but you know we’re all well and safe,” Margaux said.
When the storm hit, mother and daughter Elissa and Shayla were hiding behind their car as a neighbour’s boat came flying towards them.
“We hunkered down behind the wheel, my thinking was if the boat did come at us we were safe behind the car,” Elissa told 9News.
Shayla added: “There were poles flying everywhere, hitting us a bit, it was terrifying, so we just were like its safer to get out of this kind of area.”
Tonight, what remains inside the no-go zone will stay there until the police exclusion lifts.
For the dozens impacted they’re being offered accommodation.
