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Thousands without power in SA as damaging winds cause havoc & severe weather warning continues

By Glam Adelaide

Posted on July 20, 2024

Severe weather continues to batter South Australia with damaging winds leading to power outages, fallen trees, and property damage.

Photo credit: Tara Bourne

Read this week’s weather forecast here.

SATURDAY JULY 20: As severe weather lashes South Australia, about 4,000 households currently face power outages, with dozens of reported incidents across the state. The SES (State Emergency Service) is tackling an huge volume of emergency calls following significant destruction caused by the forceful winds overnight, which have continued through the morning. The reported damages include a multitude of trees falling onto roads, properties, and vehicles, with many branches and trees still blocking roads across the State.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a continued severe weather warning early this morning, pinpointing areas including Adelaide Metropolitan, Mount Lofty Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and parts of the Lower South East, Mid North, and Upper South East districts, where damaging winds have resulted in hazardous conditions. According to the latest updates, damaging gusts averaging 60 to 70 km/h, with peaks up to 100 km/h, have battered the regions. Adelaide and nearby significant locations such as Mount Gambier, Maitland, Murray Bridge, Kingscote, and Meningie are identified as potential impact zones.

Wind speeds have reached formidable highs overnight, with gusts recorded at 106 km/h in both Cummins and Mount Crawford, while Port Lincoln and Cultana (Defence) faced winds around 93 km/h. Even urban areas such as Adelaide weren’t spared, experiencing winds of 82 km/h as recorded at Adelaide Airport.

The severity of these conditions have promoted warnings to continue to secure loose items, move vehicles to safer areas, and avoid staying near windows to minimise risks of injury or further property damage. Residents are advised to remain indoors where possible.

Notably, the SES and other emergency service organisations are on high alert and are advising the public to be prepared for continued adverse conditions. The Bureau’s update signifies the ongoing nature of this weather event, with the warning emphasising that the severe weather might persist into the late morning, particularly along coastal areas and the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Those seeking assistance for storm or flood-related emergencies can contact the SES at 132 500, or in life-threatening situations, they should call Triple Zero (000).

The BOM has lifted severe weather warnings for other districts such as the West Coast, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, Riverland, and North East Pastoral areas where conditions have begun to improve.