Home Hill’s “Mini Tornado” Remembering the Devastating Storm of 2001

In January of 2001, a memorable weather event tore through the Burdekin, leaving a devastating footprint on the Home Hill community which many locals still recall to this day, almost 25 years later.

Homes were left without rooves and trees were uprooted from street to street as hail fell and thousands of lightning strikes ignited the green washed horizon. Many recall the fear they felt when winds lifted tiles of rooves, snapped power poles like matchsticks and trees toppled over as well as the sorry sight that was “the bakery house” after the building feel victim to an airborne roof from a home nearby.

Reports published online detail Home Hill experienced 26,200 lightening strikes within an hour and locals recall the terrifying ordeal being labelled “a mini tornado” despite the Beaure of Meteorology’s (BOM) inaccurate and untimely warnings.

Crops and sugar cane fields were terribly damaged as were resident’s sheds, trailers, boats and other items left outdoors and many felt frustration with the BOM, noting if they were issued a storm warning earlier in the day, they would have been able to take proper precautions in preparation for the impending event.

“It came out of nowhere, and we had no warning until after the storm had passed,” recalled locals.

“It was certainly a terrifying couple of hours, and I have never seen anything like it since.”

‍